PM Modi’s Visit For USBRL Inauguration Postponed, Confirms Indian Railways; Here's Why

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Jammu and Kashmir to inaugurate the final leg of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project on April 19 has been postponed. PM Modi was also going to inaugurate the Vande Bharat Express from Katra to Srinagar.

Ministry of Railways, took to X to share the reasons behind the postponement of the event. "Postponement news - due to adverse weather forecast inauguration program of USBRL is postponed for a few days. Next date will be informed when decided."

The world's highest railway bridge spans the Chenab River at a height of 359 m. The project to connect Srinagar with Jammu was launched in 1997 and it faced multiple delays due to tough terrain. This stretch connecting the Kashmir valley directly through the rail network includes 38 tunnels, 927 bridges, and the iconic Chenab Railway Bridge. Northern Railway has already run several trial runs in the last two months on this section between Jammu and Srinagar. Rail connectivity in the Kashmir valley was so far limited to the Sangaldan-Baramulla section.

The steel arch bridge built over the Chenab river is one of the biggest accomplishments in the history of the Indian Railways. It is taller than the Eiffel Tower. The bridge will facilitate train services between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. It will serve as an important link from Katra to Banihal.