J&K: PM Modi to inaugurate world’s highest Chenab Rail Bridge on June 6; Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat to be flagged off

On the same day, the Prime Minister will also flag off the long-awaited Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express.

Calling it “history in the making,” Jitendra Singh hailed the engineering marvel of the Chenab bridge, stating, “The mighty Chenab Bridge... stands tall in Jammu and Kashmir.”

The project, which faced considerable delays due to treacherous terrain and other logistical hurdles, has finally reached completion.

It involved the use of 30,000 metric tonnes of steel and boasts a wind resistance capacity exceeding 250 km/h. Its base, labelled S20, spans nearly a third of a football field — underscoring the scale and ambition of the project.

The bridge forms a crucial part of India's strategy to enhance infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, aiming to bolster connectivity, strategic defence logistics, and socio-economic development.

Equipped for electric trains using Overhead Equipment (OHE) and advanced tunnel safety mechanisms, the rail line promises long-term, energy-efficient operations.

The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, originally set to launch on April 19, 2025, had been delayed due to inclement weather and the cancellation of PM Modi’s visit.

Its inauguration now comes at a time of heightened regional sensitivity, following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor, which has lent the railway link even deeper national and strategic significance.

Railway authorities have framed the project as a symbol of India’s engineering excellence and resolve to integrate Kashmir more closely with the rest of the country.

A senior official from the Railway Board told the Times of India, “It is not just about the bridge—it’s about connecting the hearts and aspirations of Kashmiris with the rest of the country.”