"Long-pending project, demand ": JK Minister Satish Sharma on Chenab rail bridge

Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 7 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Minister Satish Sharma on Friday said that the railway bridge over the Chenab river, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was a long-pending project and demand.
The Minister said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are development-oriented and that the much-awaited project would boost tourism.
Speaking to ANI about the Chenab rail bridge inauguration, Sharma said a day earlier, "Today, the Kashmir valley has been connected with the rest of the nation. This was a long-pending project and demand. I congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for making this possible."
"The people of Jammu and Kashmir are development-oriented. The inauguration of the project will promote tourism, increase employment. Along with that, the produce, such as fruits, nuts, will be easy for deemed export to other parts of the country. It's a history in the making," he said.
On terrorism, Satish Sharma said, "We have clarified our stance and have said that we believe in tourism, and they (Pakistan) believe in terrorism. These development projects are an answer to India's stand against terror."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the much-awaited and world's highest railway arch bridge over the river Chenab during his day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.
The architectural marvel Chenab Rail Bridge, situated 359 metres above the river, is the world's highest railway arch bridge. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions.
A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. The Vande Bharat train moving on the bridge will take just about three hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing the existing travel time by two to three hours.

Speaking about the inauguration of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, BJP leader Altaf Thakur said, "The dream of Kashmiris has been fulfilled today. They had been waiting for this day for a very long time. The inauguration of Vande Bharat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will connect Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the nation. This will also give a massive boost to the economy of Kashmir as tourists will come to Jammu and Kashmir in large numbers."
On terrorism, Altaf Thakur said, "On April 22, Pakistan attacked Pahalgam and killed 26 people, that was a huge move to try to paralyse Kashmir's tourism. After the inauguration of the Vande Bharat Express, tourism will return to normalcy. Today, Kashmir is celebrating Eid-al-Adha and PM Modi has given a gift to the people of Jammu and Kashmir."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station, directly connecting the Jammu division with Kashmir.
This marks a major milestone in Jammu and Kashmir's railway connectivity.
Before flagging off the trains, Prime Minister Modi interacted with school children onboard and also spoke with railway staff members present on the train.
The new Vande Bharat Express service will reduce the travel time between Katra and Srinagar from the current 6-7 hours by road to just about 3 hours. The trains aim to provide a fast, comfortable, and reliable travel option for residents, tourists, and pilgrims.
The train will run through the Anji Khad Bridge, which is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, which is the highest railway bridge in the world. These trains have been specially designed to operate in the cold climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley.
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the world's highest railway arch bridge - 'Chenab Railway Bridge' and India's first cable-stayed 'Anji Bridge' in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw were present during the inauguration.
Before the inauguration of the bridge on the Chenab, the Prime Minister inspected the railway arch bridge.
These bridges are part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project in Jammu and Kashmir.
The iconic Chenab Railway Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, is part of the Katra-to-Sangaldan stretch, connecting New Delhi directly with Kashmir via Katra. Situated in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chenab Bridge is an engineering marvel standing at a height of 359 meters above the riverbed. It will officially connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India via rail for the first time in history.
The project faced numerous engineering and logistical challenges due to the region's difficult terrain and seismic sensitivity. Yet, after years of meticulous work, the bridge now stands as a testament to India's technological prowess and commitment to inclusive development.
It marks a transformative chapter in India's infrastructural landscape, promising greater connectivity, economic growth, and social integration in the region.
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is 272 km long USBRL project, constructed worth around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration. (ANI)