Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 6 (ANI): Calling this day 'historic', Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said that the Chenab bridge part of the Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) was constructed working in harmony with nature.

Addressing the public during the inauguration of the Chenab bridge, Vaishnaw said, 'Today is a historic day. Another gem has been added to Jammu and Kashmir. Today, PM Modi has inaugurated the railway line connecting Jammu to Srinagar. The country had cherished the dream of this railway line for decades. There were great challenges in its construction... Instead of trying to conquer nature, working in harmony with nature, this railway line has become a reality today through this network of bridges and tunnels. This was made possible due to the steely determination, hard work and laser-sharp focus of our Prime Minister.'

Prime Minister Modi today inaugurated the world's highest railway arch bridge - the 'Chenab Railway Bridge' - and India's first cable-stayed 'Anji Bridge' in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station, directly connecting the Jammu division with Kashmir. This marks a major milestone in Jammu and Kashmir's railway connectivity.

Before flagging off the trains, Prime Minister Modi interacted with schoolchildren on board and also spoke with railway staff members present on the train.

The new Vande Bharat Express service will reduce the travel time between Katra and Srinagar from the current 6-7 hours by road to just about 3 hours. The trains aim to provide a fast, comfortable, and reliable travel option for residents, tourists, and pilgrims.

The train will run through the Anji Khad Bridge, which is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, which is the highest railway bridge in the world.

These trains have been specially designed to operate in the cold climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley.

In a remarkable gesture, Prime Minister Modi waved the Tiranga, the Indian national flag and carried it forward on the deck of the bridge on the Chenab River.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were present during the inauguration.

These bridges are part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project in Jammu and Kashmir.

The iconic Chenab Railway Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, is part of the Katra-to-Sangaldan stretch, connecting New Delhi directly with Kashmir via Katra. Situated in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chenab Bridge is an engineering marvel standing at a height of 359 metres above the riverbed. It will officially connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India via rail for the first time in history.

The project faced numerous engineering and logistical challenges due to the region's difficult terrain and seismic sensitivity. Yet, after years of meticulous work, the bridge now stands as a testament to India's technological prowess and commitment to inclusive development.

It marks a transformative chapter in India's infrastructural landscape, promising greater connectivity, economic growth, and social integration in the region.

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is a 272 km long USBRL project, constructed at a cost of around Rs 43,780 crore, which includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration. (ANI)