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‘Pakistan attacked both humanity and Kashmiriyat there’: PM Modi in J&K after inaugurating Chenab, Anji bridges; top quotes

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated several infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir worth approximately Rs 44,000 crore.The key projects included the Anji bridge and the Chenab bridge.

PM Modi also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar, enhancing rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.He first inaugurated the Chenab bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, which stands 359 metres above the riverbed in Reasi district. Waving the national flag, the Prime Minister called the bridge a symbol of engineering achievement. Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha, chief minister Omar Abdullah, and railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw were present.PM Modi also inaugurated the Anji bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge. Both structures are part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), which connects Kashmir to the rest of India by rail for the first time.Later, PM Modi also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra railway station to Srinagar. Before departure, he interacted with school student and railway staff onboard.

The new trains are expected to reduce travel time between Katra and Srinagar from 6–7 hours to about 3 hours. “These trains have been specially designed to operate in the cold climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley,” officials said. The route covers both the Anji and Chenab bridges.The Chenab railway bridge, part of the Katra-Sangaldan section, is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch built to withstand seismic activity and strong winds.

The USBRL project faced several technical challenges due to the region's terrain and weather conditions.The completed USBRL project spans 272 km and was built at a cost of around Rs 43,780 crore. It includes 36 tunnels totalling 119 km and 943 bridges, enabling all-weather rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country.“The project establishes seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and improve socio-economic integration,” officials said.

LIVE: PM Modi lays foundation stone, inaugurates development works in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir

Here are top quotes from PM Modi's speech:

“Our neighbouring country opposes peace, tourism, and even the livelihood of the poor. What happened in Pahalgam on April 22 is a clear example. Pakistan attacked both humanity and Kashmiriyat there.”
“Their intent was to stop Kashmir’s income and create riots in India. The growing tourism, which supports the poor families of J&K, was targeted by Pakistan.”

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