New Delhi [India] June 7 (ANI): In a landmark achievement for India's infrastructure and connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Katra-Srinagar railway line, including the iconic Chenab rail bridge. This fulfilled a long-cherished dream of Kashmir's integration with the nation. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the railway line bridge will be a 'huge blessing' for Kashmir.

'The decades-old dream of Kashmir has been fulfilled today. PM Modi inaugurated the Katra-Srinagar railway line and two bridges today. This is a huge achievement, and it will prove to be a huge blessing for Kashmir,' he told reporters on Friday.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told reporters invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, ''The Prime Minister has always said that India will emerge as a shining star on the world stage of development and progress, and the forces that will try to stop development will be given a befitting reply, and India will continue to develop...'

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

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, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw were present during the inauguration. Before the inauguration of the bridge on the Chenab, the Prime Minister inspected the railway arch bridge.

These bridges are part of the 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 359 meters above the riverbed. It will officially connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India via rail for the first time.

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 regional social integration. (ANI)