TFP Bureau, New Delhi, June 6, 2025: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore in Jammu & Kashmir, marking a historic milestone in the region’s transformation and connectivity.
Addressing the gathering at Katra, the Prime Minister hailed the event as a grand celebration of India’s unity and determination. He highlighted the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line Project as a symbol of Jammu and Kashmir’s renewed strength and India’s growing infrastructure capabilities. With the inauguration of the Chenab Bridge—the world’s tallest railway arch bridge—and the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, Shri Modi underscored a new era of connectivity and prosperity for the region.
“This is not just steel and concrete; these bridges are living symbols of India’s strength,” the Prime Minister said, comparing the Chenab Bridge’s height to the Eiffel Tower, positioning it as a future tourist attraction. The bridges will boost tourism and open up new economic opportunities for local businesses, especially benefiting Kashmir’s famed apples, dry fruits, and Pashmina shawls by facilitating easier access to national markets.
The Prime Minister also flagged off Vande Bharat trains within Jammu and Kashmir and laid the foundation for a new medical college in Jammu, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving healthcare. He noted that MBBS seats in the region have increased from 500 to 1,300, with seven new medical colleges established in recent years.
Shri Modi praised Jammu and Kashmir’s youth and their resolve to reject terrorism, condemning Pakistan’s repeated attempts to undermine peace. Recalling Operation Sindoor—India’s decisive strike against terrorist infrastructure a month ago—he reaffirmed the government’s support for families affected by cross-border shelling, announcing enhanced financial aid for damaged homes.
“Jammu and Kashmir is the crown jewel of India,” the Prime Minister declared, celebrating the region’s culture, natural beauty, and youth potential. He emphasized the central government’s efforts in improving border security, infrastructure, and employment opportunities, including the establishment of new Border and Women Battalions and upgrades to highways and roads linking remote villages.
Highlighting several welfare schemes benefiting millions across India, Shri Modi said over 25 crore people have risen out of poverty during his government’s 11-year tenure, with special emphasis on empowering the middle class and rural communities. Calling on the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to engage in India’s manufacturing revolution, he urged them to contribute to the nation’s goal of becoming a top defense exporter and economic power.
The Prime Minister’s address was attended by Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah, and several Union Ministers, underscoring the collaborative spirit driving Jammu and Kashmir’s development.
This landmark day signals a new chapter of growth, peace, and prosperity in Jammu & Kashmir, rooted in infrastructure progress, social welfare, and unwavering national unity.
