PM Modi to address mega rally at Katra on April 19

Jammu, April 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a mega public rally at Katra on April 19, as part of his high-profile visit to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The event will take place at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Stadium, with extensive security arrangements already in place to ensure a smooth and successful program.
As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will flag off the first Vande Bharat Express from Katra to Srinagar. Later in the day, he will also inaugurate the world’s highest cable-stayed railway bridge at Reasi, a landmark infrastructure project set to boost connectivity in the region.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has mobilized its cadre across Jammu and Kashmir to ensure maximum public participation and to turn the event into a grand show of strength and support.
Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, security has been tightened across Jammu. Personnel from the Special Protection Group (SPG) are expected to arrive shortly and will conduct mock drills to test preparedness and coordination.
Sources said that inter-agency coordination meetings are already underway, involving police, paramilitary forces, and intelligence agencies. Additional checkpoints (nakas) have been set up across key routes, while entry and exit points are under strict surveillance.
Authorities have also ensured that CCTV cameras are installed at critical locations, and non-functional ones are being repaired to enable round-the-clock monitoring.
In preparation for the PM’s arrival, the Railways has cancelled the holidays of all its employees, with a directive to remain on duty to ensure seamless operations and logistics.
Two Vande Bharat trains are slated to operate in Jammu and Kashmir—one from Katra to Srinagar, and the other from Srinagar to Jammu, eventually connecting with other parts of the country. Both trains will have a scheduled halt at Sangaldan, where railway staff will be rotated, and passengers can board or disembark.
Following the train flag-off, the Prime Minister will proceed to Reasi, where he will inaugurate the record-setting cable-stayed bridge, which stands as the tallest of its kind in the world and a feat of engineering excellence.