PM Modi Inaugurates Srinagar Vande Bharat, Chenab Bridge on Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Link

Indian Economic Updates :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, inaugurated the ₹43,780 crore Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) — a transformative 272 km corridor featuring 36 tunnels, 943 bridges, and full electrification. The ceremony included unveiling the world’s highest rail arch (Chenab Bridge – 359 m above riverbed) and India’s first cable‑stayed rail bridge (Anji Khad), plus two winter‑ready Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar.
Economically, this link is a game-changer: it cuts travel time by 4 hours versus road journeys, ensures all‑weather access, and slashes logistics costs—farmers anticipate 20–30% better prices for apples, walnuts, saffron, and Pashmina shawls due to reduced spoilage and faster market access. Railways predict a surge in tourist footfall, revitalizing local businesses and boosting regional mobility.
Strategically, the Chenab Bridge—built with seismic, blast‑resistant design and 120-year lifespan—supports troop movement and economic resilience in a sensitive border region. The Anji Khad link similarly fortifies Reasi district’s infrastructure.
Complementing rail, ₹46,000 crore in roads, including a six‑lane Kathua–Jammu expressway and 1,800 km of new village roads, extend the economic uplift to 400 previously isolated communities.

This project isn’t just engineering marvel—it’s an economic catalyst: lowering transport costs, expanding market access, boosting tourism, and strengthening strategic logistics.

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