• Source:JND
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In a major infrastructure push to the Kashmir valley, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge, India's first cable-stayed bridge, which is a crucial part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

The prime minister also flagged off two Vande Bharat trains between Sri mata Vaisho Devi Katra and Srinagar. During the inauguratrion, thePM Said, "We have always invoked Maa Bharati with deep reverence, saying... 'from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.' Today, this has become a reality even in our railway network," said PM Modi.

Chenab Rail Bridge, situated at a height of 359 meters above the river, is the world's highest railway arch bridge nestled in the young fold mountains. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions. A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.

During the inauguration, Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Union Minister Jitendra Singh were also present at the event. Before the inauguration, the PM inspected the bride and held a brief conversation with CM Abdullah and Vaishnaw as he watched an exhibition.

He also held a conversation with the people who worked on the project. The inauguration comes weeks after the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. It is PM Modi's first visit to Kashmir after the attack that left 26, including a Nepali citizen, dead. 

About 80 kilometres from Jammu city, the bridge is set against a striking backdrop of snow-covered peaks. Towering 331 metres above the riverbed and stretching 725 metres across, it is anchored by 96 high tensile cables.