Sachnews Jammu Kashmir
Anantnag, June 4: PDP leader Iltija Mufti has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir for the inauguration of the Chenab Bridge and launch of two Vande Bharat trains connecting Katra and Baramulla.
The Prime Minister is set to flag off two Vande Bharat trains connecting Katra and Baramulla, marking the near-completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), a mega project 42 years in the making.
“It is a step we should appreciate, and it is a welcome move that the Prime Minister is visiting,” said Iltija Mufti while speaking to reporters in Anantnag. “I believe he was supposed to come last month but couldn’t make it, so his visit now is appreciated.”
However, the PDP leader expressed concern over some aspects of the project’s execution, particularly with regard to its ecological footprint and passenger-related inconveniences.
“We saw how in Anantnag, near Pahalgam, a railway track was planned through orchards. Kashmir is ecologically very fragile, and such projects must be implemented with greater environmental awareness,” she said as per sachnews Jammu Kashmir.
Highlighting logistical issues faced by commuters, Iltija added:
“Passengers often have to change trains at Katra, where long delays and security checks can make the journey difficult—sometimes lasting two to three hours. These are real challenges that must be addressed if the full potential of such mega projects is to be realized.”
The Chenab Bridge, a critical part of the USBRL project, stands at a height of 359 meters above the riverbed and spans 1,315 meters. Built to endure earthquakes, high winds, and extreme weather, the bridge is a significant feat of engineering and a symbol of improved connectivity for the Kashmir Valley.
Meanwhile, preparations for PM Modi’s visit are underway in full swing. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting in Srinagar, attended by top civil and police officials, to finalize security and administrative arrangements.