NEW DELHI, 06 JUNE: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on Friday, Katra railway station witnessed a wave of enthusiasm as students, locals, and tourists gathered to welcome him. The visit, packed with major infrastructure announcements, has stirred excitement across the region, especially with the much-anticipated launch of two Vande Bharat trains and the inauguration of the iconic Chenab Bridge — the world’s highest railway bridge.
Security has been significantly heightened across Udhampur and Reasi districts in preparation for the Prime Minister’s arrival. Inspections and surveillance have intensified in Katra, a major pilgrimage town and now the focal point of this historic railway development.
A group of enthusiastic students assembled at the station early in the day, braving tight security arrangements to greet the Prime Minister and witness the milestone moment. Expressing their pride and joy, many students said they viewed the new Vande Bharat trains as a symbol of progress and national integration.
“We have come here to welcome Modi ji. The first Vande Bharat train will start from here, and we might get a chance to travel in it,” said one student. “India is developing, and our states are moving forward too. I am very excited for this train.”
Another student expressed her happiness about the transformation in the region. “We are glad to see Katra developing. This is a platform to showcase our region, and Modi ji has done a lot for us. For the first time, Vande Bharat will be going from here. I am thrilled. I am even getting goosebumps. If given a chance, I would love to travel to Srinagar on this train.”
Tourists visiting Katra also echoed similar sentiments. Jaiswal, a visitor from Varanasi — PM Modi’s parliamentary constituency — said he had been in the area for two days and was eagerly awaiting the train’s launch. “Now trains will go to Srinagar, and that too over such a massive bridge which we never imagined. The Chenab Bridge is the highest in the world. It’s a proud moment for all of us,” he said.
He added, “I had hoped to board the Srinagar Vande Bharat today, but it begins tomorrow. Still, I am happy that such connectivity is being created. It will be a huge convenience in the future.”
The new Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat route is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a 272 km long mega project with an estimated cost of ₹43,780 crore. The USBRL includes 36 tunnels covering 119 km and 943 bridges, making it one of India’s most ambitious railway engineering marvels.
During his visit, PM Modi is also expected to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of infrastructure projects worth ₹46,000 crore, marking a new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s development journey.
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