Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unwavering determination and focused leadership for making the long-standing dream of connecting Kashmir with the rest of India through a railway line a reality. Speaking at the inauguration of the Vande Bharat Express to Kashmir, flagged off by Prime Minister Modi from the pilgrim town of Katra, Vaishnaw said that the vision of linking Jammu, Srinagar, and Baramulla by rail had been nurtured by the nation for decades but had faced enormous geographical challenges.
He explained that the region’s towering mountains and deep valleys had made the construction of a railway line extremely difficult. However, he noted that the project did not involve a battle against nature, but instead required innovative engineering solutions. The network of bridges and tunnels that now connects the region was made possible due to the strong will, determined efforts, and laser-sharp focus of the prime minister. Vaishnaw called the occasion historic and said it marked the addition of “another jewel to Maa Bharti’s crown,” underscoring the symbolic and strategic importance of the railway link to Kashmir.
Vaishnaw highlighted that Prime Minister Modi had also inaugurated two significant structures on the railway line — the Chenab Bridge and the Anji Bridge. He noted that the Chenab Bridge, standing at 359 metres, is taller than the Eiffel Tower and is the world’s highest railway arch bridge. He also pointed out the remarkable engineering accomplishment of the T-50 tunnel, which is the longest transportation tunnel in India, stretching over 12.77 kilometres.
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The railway minister detailed that the most challenging part of the project was the Katra-Banihal section, work on which began after 2014. Of the 111-kilometre stretch, 97 kilometres run through tunnels and 7 kilometres across bridges, meaning the entire section consists almost entirely of tunnels and bridges. He described the construction of such infrastructure in the Himalayan region as an extremely difficult task that required new technological innovations.
Among these was the introduction of the Himalayan Tunneling Method, a technique developed specifically for this terrain. Vaishnaw expressed deep appreciation for the engineers and technicians who braved harsh conditions to make the project successful.
He also shared updates on the ongoing development at the Jammu railway station, where three platforms are under construction and are expected to be completed by September. Although the Vande Bharat Express was flagged off from Katra on Friday, Vaishnaw clarified that it is the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat train and will operate from Jammu once the work at the station is complete. He concluded by saying that the completion of this railway line will not only transform connectivity for the Kashmir Valley but also play a vital role in boosting tourism and economic integration with the rest of the country.
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