In a historic move set to reshape the infrastructural and economic landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Union Territory on Friday to inaugurate a series of landmark development projects, including the long-awaited launch of the Vande Bharat Express to Srinagar.
This visit, Modi’s first to the region following the recently concluded Operation Sindoor, is being conducted under unprecedented security arrangements, involving a multi-layered protection detail from the Special Protection Group (SPG), Indian Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and Jammu & Kashmir Police. A senior security official confirmed, “Every possible measure has been taken to ensure the Prime Minister’s safety during this high-profile visit.”
Security personnel equipped with drones, sniffer dogs, electronic surveillance tools, and night vision equipment have been deployed along the rail route from Katra to Baramulla, especially across mountainous sections vulnerable to sabotage. Army and CAPF troops are stationed at key vantage points, and a coordinated inter-agency command is overseeing all operations.
Vande Bharat to the Valley: A Dream Realized
On Friday, PM Modi will flag off two Vande Bharat trains from Katra to Srinagar and back, reducing travel time between the two destinations to just three hours—cutting the current travel duration by nearly half. This marks the first time the Kashmir Valley will be connected by an all-weather, high-speed rail service, fulfilling a national dream that has remained unrealized for over 70 years.
The Prime Minister will also dedicate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation. Spanning 272 km, the project cost approximately ₹43,780 crore, and features 36 tunnels (covering 119 km) and 943 bridges, including the iconic Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge.
Development Projects Worth Over ₹46,000 Crore
The PM’s visit includes the inauguration and foundation laying of infrastructure projects totalling over ₹46,000 crore, covering sectors like transportation, healthcare, and rural connectivity. Among the key projects:
National Highway Projects: Road widening from Rafiabad to Kupwara and the construction of the Shopian bypass (worth ₹1,952 crore).
Urban Flyovers: New flyovers at Sangrama and Bemina junctions to ease traffic congestion in Srinagar.
Medical Infrastructure: Foundation stone for the ₹350 crore Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, the first medical college in Reasi district.
Safe Travel in Remote Areas: RO-based safe drinking water projects for Uddanam and tribal belts in Srikakulam under the NTR Sujala Pathakam, and water infrastructure development in the Kuppam region.
All these activities will be conducted from Katra through a virtual interface.
“A Vision in Motion”
A government official noted, “This visit is more than ceremonial. It marks the practical fulfilment of promises made for generations—connecting Kashmir to the rest of India not just physically, but economically and emotionally.”
The Prime Minister is expected to address the significance of these transformative projects in the broader context of India’s growth, positioning the country as a soon-to-be third-largest global economy.
“Friday’s events represent not just the triumph of engineering over terrain, but the triumph of vision over delay,” said a senior official. “This is a defining moment in our national integration journey.”
