Katra, Jun 06: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate on Friday the world’s tallest bridge over Chenab river ahead of dedicating to the nation the much-awaited Kashmir rail service here.

After his arrival at the Air Force station in Udhampur, the prime minister left in a chopper to inaugurate the bridge over Chenab.

A multi-tier security setup has been put in place for the prime minister’s visit, his first to the Union Territory post Operation Sindoor launched by the Indian Armed Forces across the border to hit terrorist infrastructure during the intervening night on May 6 and 7 in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead on April 22.

After inaugurating the Chenab brige, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to inaugurate India’s first cable-stayed Anji bridge and flag off Vande Bharat trains to mark the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link (USBRL) that will provide direct train connectivity between Kashmir and rest of the country.

Modi will also lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district.

The USBRL project, constructed at a cost of around Rs 43,780 crore includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges.

The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration.

Prime Minister Modi will also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back. They will offer a swift, comfortable, and reliable travel option for residents, tourists, pilgrims among others.

In a major boost to last mile connectivity especially in border areas, Modi will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various road projects.

He will lay the foundation stone of the road widening project from Rafiabad to Kupwara on National Highway-701 and the construction of Shopian bypass road on NH-444 worth over Rs 1,952 crore.

He will also inaugurate two flyover projects at Sangrama Junction on National Highway-1 in Srinagar and at Bemina Junction on National Highway-44. These projects will ease traffic congestion and enhance traffic flow for the commuters.

Prime Minister Modi will also lay the foundation stone of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra worth over Rs 350 crore. It will be the first medical college in Reasi district contributing substantially to the healthcare infrastructure in the region.

Out of the total 272 km USBRL project, 209 km was commissioned in phases with the first phase of the 118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section commissioned in October 2009 followed by 18 km Banihal-Qazigund in June 2013, 25 km Udhampur-Katra in July 2014 and 48.1 km long Banihal-Sangaldan stretch in February, last year.

The work on the 46-km Sangaldan-Reasi section was also completed in June last year, leaving a total 17 km stretch between Reasi and Katra and this section was finally completed in December 2024.

Jammu, June 05: A special NIA court on Thursday framed charges against four men for allegedly aiding terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district.

The charges have been framed against Muneer Hussain of Malwas, Tanveer Ahmed of Kulhand, Noor Alam of Baggar-Assar and Kunj Lal of Herani, who were booked under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) by the Dessa police station on July 16 last year.

Hearing the case under the UAPA, the additional district and sessions judge (fast track) of the NIA court framed the charges against the accused, police said.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, Sandeep Mehta, said a case under sections 103 (murder), 147 (waging war against the government of India), 149 (unlawful assembly) and 315 (dishonest misappropriation of property) of the BNS, besides sections 13 (unlawful activity), 16 (terrorist acts), 19 (harbouring a terrorist) and 20 (member of a terrorist gang) of the UAPA, was registered at the Dessa police station on July 16 last year.

The investigation was conducted professionally and it was found that these people were involved in the commission of the crime, he said.

Accordingly, a challan of the case was produced in the NIA court for judicial determination.

During the trial, the court found sufficient evidence to proceed further and accordingly, framed the charges against the accused, who are presently in judicial custody.

Giving further details, officials said the accused had covertly or overtly supported terrorists in Doda by providing food and other logistical support to them.

Kauri, June 05: Tales of toil and the engineering prowess behind the construction of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, will be the highlight of a railway museum here to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

The museum, which is part of the world’s highest steel arch rail bridge over the Chenab river in Reasi district, is being developed as a tourist spot, with authorities calling for necessary measures to increase visitors’ footfall.

The extraordinary saga of human grit and engineering prowess behind the construction of this prestigious project will be a treat for visitors, officials said.

The interior is inspired by Karsari art, incorporating modern design with traditional Deodar wood, they said, adding that the wood has been crafted into geometric shapes.

“A museum dedicated to USBRL has been built adjacent to the Chenab Bridge viewing point. It will be inaugurated by the prime minister along with the bridge and other projects,” a senior official told PTI.

Set up at one end of the world’s highest railway bridge in Reasi district, the three-storeyed museum showcases engineering marvels and technical highlights of the USBRL project, officials said.

The museum will also feature models and exhibits showcasing engineering challenges such as Tunnel T-33, the construction of cable-stayed bridges in the Anji section, the challenges of building the Chenab Bridge, and various tunnel-related technologies, marvels and systems, they said.

“It will be a visual tale of hard toil by men and machines in making this project a reality,” the official said.

The rail museum is not just about historical exhibits of the project, but it also features interactive galleries and several other digital and virtual features to provide a comprehensive and engaging experience for visitors.

“It is going to be a popular destination for both locals and tourists, expected to attract a huge number of visitors annually,” the official said.

The museum will have exhibits related to the engineering feats and technical steps of the USBRL project on the first floor while the second and third floors will house a restaurant and rooftop viewing area, officials said.

There will be an amphitheatre for a broad view of the bridge, with displays of the history of the USBRL project, they said.

“Tourists will be able to enjoy their tea or food while admiring the trains speeding over the Chenab Bridge and taking in the breathtaking surrounding views,” the official said.

This move is expected to boost tourism, change the region’s image, and create jobs.

The museum will also have a park being constructed in front for tourists. The landscape of the nearby villages is changing as the Chenab bridge nears completion.

“The museum’s development is expected to create job opportunities for local residents. Locals will be able to serve traditional food to tourists, and many will gain employment through other services,” said local resident Surinder Singh.

The two ends of the Chenab Rail Bridge are Kauri and Bakkal. This bridge is located between these two villages on the banks of the Chenab river.

At 359 m above the riverbed, the Chenab Rail Bridge stands as the world’s highest railway arch bridge. “It rises 35 m higher than the Eiffel Tower. Spanning 1,315 m, this steel arch structure is a key part of the rail line and marks a significant milestone in Indian engineering,” an official said.

Designed to endure harsh terrain and extreme weather, the bridge can withstand wind speeds of up to 260 kmph and is built to last 120 years. With a project cost of Rs 1,486 crore, it is not just a bridge but a symbol of India’s technical prowess.

The Anji bridge also form part of the project, valued at approximately Rs 43,780 crore. The USBRL spans a total length of 272 km and includes 36 tunnels covering 119 kilometers, along with 943 bridges constructed across diverse terrain, they said.

Modi will inaugurate the Chenab Rail Bridge and flag off a Vande Bharat train to Kashmir on Friday, marking a major milestone in India’s railway history.