Blitz Bureau
A glorious history in rail connectivity was scripted on June 6 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first train connecting Kashmir to the rest of the country. The Vande Bharat Express – that will run between Katra and Srinagar – besides cutting down travel time, will set a new benchmark in comfort for the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Passengers who boarded the train on the first day of its commercial operation, expressed immense enthusiasm, with many stating they had eagerly awaited the opportunity to travel to Kashmir by train. Railway officials said that public excitement was high, with most of the seats booked within hours of the train’s inauguration.
PM Modi, during his visit, also inaugurated two engineering marvels – world’s highest railway bridge over Chenab and India’s first cable stayed rail bridge at Anji. Towering 359 metres above the riverbed, the Chenab Rail Bridge stands as the world’s highest railway arch bridge. It rises 35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower. Spanning 1,315 metres, this steel arch structure is a key part of the Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Railway Link and marks a significant milestone in Indian engineering. With a project cost of Rs 1,486 crore, it is not just a bridge but a symbol of India’s technical prowess.
