metro india news  I srinagar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off two Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar and inaugurated the world’s highest rail bridge over the Chenab as well as the country’s first cable-stayed bridge over Anji Khad. This was Modi’s first visit to the region and holds significance in the context of the recent conflict between India and Pakistan.

Development of  Jammu & Kashmir will not stop He then declared that if any obstruction comes in the way of development in Jammu and Kashmir, it will have to face him first.

“The development of Jammu and Kashmir will not stop,” Modi said while addressing a rally in Katra after the inaugurations.

He also inaugurated several other infrastructure projects, worth over Rs 46,000 crore, in the Union Territory of J&K. The Prime Minister also mentioned the April 22 terror attack in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which left 25 tourists as well as a local man dead and has brought the tourism industry in Kashmir to a halt.

 It was an attack on humanity

“It was an attack by Pakistan on humanity and Kashmiriyat, to break the backbone of those in Kashmir who are dependent on tourism,” Modi said.

“Our neighbouring country opposes peace, tourism and even the livelihood of the poor. What happened at Pahalgam on April 22 is a clear example of it,” he said.

Reiterating that India will not bow to terrorism, the PM said the people of J&K, especially the youth, have made up their mind to give a fitting reply to terrorism. He said he appreciated the people for spontaneously coming out on the roads and holding demonstrations against the terror attack.

He also referred to various welfare schemes and said that in the last 11 years of his government, the Centre has remained dedicated to the welfare of the poor and the middle class. He said the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line, as well as the Chenab and Anji bridges, are the result of the determination and willpower of the people.

The Prime Minister also interacted with some of the people involved in building the Chenab Rail Bridge. In a post on X, the PM said, “Interacted with some of the people involved in building the Chenab Rail Bridge. They belong to different parts of India and are unwavering in their resolve to build modern infrastructure for their fellow Indians. They shared their experiences, including working in some very challenging times. They also shared how their families are very proud of the work they have done.”

He called the hoisting of the Tricolour on the Chenab bridge as a moment of immense national pride and a testament to India’s growing capability to build futuristic infrastructure in the most challenging terrains.

“The Tricolour flies high over the Chenab Rail Bridge! It’s a feeling of immense pride that this bridge seamlessly blends ambition with execution, reflecting India’s growing capability to build futuristic infrastructure in the most challenging terrains,” Modi said on X.