Srinagar: With just a week remaining, the Railway Ministry and Jammu and Kashmir administration have been verbally instructed to prepare for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s likely visit to inaugurate the historic Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project on Saturday, April 19. While formal communication from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is still awaited, multiple departments have started groundwork at key locations including Katra Railway Station and the iconic Chenab Bridge in Reasi district.
“We have been verbally informed to begin preparations. As soon as the official confirmation comes, we will move to final execution,” said a senior railway official.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo recently visited Chenab Bridge and Katra town to assess on-ground readiness. He held detailed discussions with officials from the Railways, police, civil administration, and other departments.
“Everything must be in place well in advance,” he directed, instructing departments to maintain high alert until the PMO’s final nod, media reports said according to the KNS correspondent.
As per the tentative schedule, PM Modi is expected to land at Udhampur, take an aerial survey of the Chenab Bridge, proceed to Katra to flag off the first direct train to Kashmir, and later address a massive public rally at the Katra Sports Stadium.
The Vande Bharat Express, specially built for operations in sub-zero temperatures of the Kashmir Valley, is already stationed at Katra. The train consists of eight fully air-conditioned coaches, cab heating, HVAC systems with 9kW heating, sealed gangways, infotainment displays, CCTVs, LED lighting, mobile charging ports, plug doors, and electro-pneumatic brakes. While the train can run at 160 km/h, its operating speed between Katra and Srinagar has been limited to 85 km/h as per CRS approval.
The USBRL project spans 272 km, including 119 km of tunnels, and connects Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar, and Baramulla. Among the standout features of the project are the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, and Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. The Chenab Bridge, standing at 467 metres, can withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 8.
Approved in 1994-95 and declared a National Project in 2002, USBRL has seen phased completion over the years. Key stretches such as Qazigund-Baramulla (2009), Banihal-Qazigund (2013), Udhampur-Katra (2014), and Banihal-Sangaldan (2020) have already been inaugurated. A MEMU train trial run was also conducted last year on the electrified Reasi-Sangaldan section.
As security is expected to be a top priority for such a high-profile event, arrangements are being made to ensure a smooth visit. Security forces have been deployed across critical locations, and additional personnel are being stationed at Udhampur, Katra, and Chenab Bridge. Special measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of the PM and other dignitaries attending the event, with authorities taking proactive steps to avoid any disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched full-scale preparations to ensure a massive turnout during the Prime Minister’s visit. Party workers across multiple districts are being mobilised, logistics are being finalised, and plans are being laid out for a grand public reception at Katra Stadium.(KNS)
