REASI, April 13 – Security has been tightened in Reasi ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit on April 19 to inaugurate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a milestone infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.
The USBRL, a 272-kilometre railway line, includes a 119-kilometre (combined 38 tunnels) tunnel section and has been described as a transformative development for the region’s transport, religious tourism, and economic integration.
Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, confirmed the inauguration date and emphasized the significance of the project.
“It has been the dream of every Indian to have a train running to Kashmir. For this, we have made long preparations, and now this USBRL section is ready,” Kumar said.
The project features two of India’s most notable railway bridges — the Anji Khad Bridge, the country’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, the highest railway bridge in the world. These engineering marvels have been constructed to withstand the challenging terrain and cold climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley.
To mark the inauguration, Indian Railways will flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains — one from Srinagar and another from Katra to Srinagar — Kumar added. These semi-high-speed trains are specially designed to operate in the extreme weather conditions of the valley.
A trial run of the first Vande Bharat train from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station to Srinagar was successfully conducted on January 23.
“This entire area is very important for Kashmir’s religious, tourism, and connectivity needs,” Kumar said. “The Prime Minister is going to dedicate this entire project to the country, which will benefit people across the nation.”
Security agencies have stepped up surveillance and deployment across key points along the route, including near the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges, as preparations intensify for the high-profile event.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
