
Srinagar- With just a week remaining, the Railway Ministry and Jammu and Kashmir administration have been verbally instructed to prepare for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s likely visit to inaugurate the historic Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project on Saturday, April 19.
While formal communication from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is still awaited, multiple departments have started groundwork at key locations including Katra Railway Station and the iconic Chenab Bridge in Reasi district.
“We have been verbally informed to begin preparations. As soon as the official confirmation comes, we will move to final execution,” said a senior railway official.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo recently visited Chenab Bridge and Katra town to assess on-ground readiness. He held detailed discussions with officials from the Railways, police, civil administration, and other departments. “Everything must be in place well in advance,” he directed, instructing departments to maintain high alert until the PMO’s final nod, media reports said.
Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Monday chaired a high-level meeting here to review the security scenario in Jammu region.
According to the details,the DGP took a detailed review and directed the officers to ensure fool proof security.
Meanwhile, the Special Protection Group (SPG), tasked with the Prime Minister’s security, has taken over the control of the security at the venue in Katra, where the Prime Minister is scheduled to flag off the first train to Kashmir on April 19.
As per the tentative schedule, PM Modi is expected to land at Udhampur, take an aerial survey of the Chenab Bridge, proceed to Katra to flag off the first direct train to Kashmir, and later address a massive public rally at the Katra Sports Stadium.
The Vande Bharat Express, specially built for operations in sub-zero temperatures of the Kashmir Valley, is already stationed at Katra. The train consists of eight fully air-conditioned coaches, cab heating, HVAC systems with 9kW heating, sealed gangways, infotainment displays, CCTVs, LED lighting, mobile charging ports, plug doors, and electro-pneumatic brakes. While the train can run at 160 km/h, its operating speed between Katra and Srinagar has been limited to 85 km/h as per CRS approval.
The USBRL project spans 272 km, including 119 km of tunnels, and connects Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar, and Baramulla. Among the standout features of the project are the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, and Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. The Chenab Bridge, standing at 467 metres, can withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 8.
PM Modi had described the Chenab bridge as an “unparalleled” example of engineering. Moreover, the flagging off the commercial operation of the first train between Kashmir and Jammu will mark the beginning of full rail connectivity from the Valley to the rest of the country. To start with, the national transporter will operate one Vande Bharat train between Katra and Srinagar, which will enable travelers to cover the stretch in just over three hours. Currently, it takes around 6 to 7 hours.
The Northern Railway has been conducting the trial run of trains between Kashmir and Jammu for more than two months. At present, train services in Kashmir are limited to the Sangaldan-Baramulla section, while long-distance trains terminate at Katra.
The bridge over the Chenab river is 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower.
Officials said around 29,000 tones of steel has been used in the construction of the bridge. They added that construction of the bridge was challenging because the area falls in earthquake-prone region and so its design and construction were done in such a way that even if an eight-magnitude earthquake occurs it will not affect the bridge
Approved in 1994-95 and declared a National Project in 2002, USBRL has seen phased completion over the years. Key stretches such as Qazigund-Baramulla (2009), Banihal-Qazigund (2013), Udhampur-Katra (2014), and Banihal-Sangaldan (2020) have already been inaugurated. A MEMU train trial run was also conducted last year on the electrified Reasi-Sangaldan section.
As security is expected to be a top priority for such a high-profile event, arrangements are being made to ensure a smooth visit. Security forces have been deployed across critical locations, and additional personnel are being stationed at Udhampur, Katra, and Chenab Bridge. Special measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of the PM and other dignitaries attending the event, with authorities taking proactive steps to avoid any disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched full-scale preparations to ensure a massive turnout during the Prime Minister’s visit. Party workers across multiple districts are being mobilised, logistics are being finalised, and plans are being laid out for a grand public reception at Katra Stadium. (inputs from agencies)
PULL QUOTE: Security forces have been deployed across critical locations, and additional personnel are being stationed at Udhampur, Katra, and Chenab Bridge.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
ACT NOW |
MONTHLY | Rs 100 | |
YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |