Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge, the tallest railway arch bridge globally, in a landmark ceremony on Friday. Towering 359 metres above the Chenab River, this engineering feat will soon host Vande Bharat trains running between Katra and Srinagar. PM Modi also shared a video on Instagram, offering a first look at the impressive structure, calling it a step toward building a "Naya Kashmir."

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the bridge spans 1,315 metres and is built to endure seismic shocks and high winds. It is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar, with Vande Bharat trains covering the Katra-Srinagar route in about 3 hours—cutting travel time by 2–3 hours.

In addition to inaugurating the Chenab Bridge, PM Modi will launch development projects worth over ₹46,000 crore in Katra, home to the sacred Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Among the key highlights is the introduction of India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Bridge, engineered to function in the region's rugged terrain.

The ambitious 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) will also be unveiled. Constructed at a cost of approximately ₹43,780 crore, the USBRL includes 36 tunnels stretching 119 km and 943 bridges, ensuring round-the-year connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India. The project is expected to transform regional mobility and promote socio-economic integration.

To further strengthen last-mile connectivity, particularly in border areas, the prime minister will also lay the foundation for several road infrastructure projects. Additionally, the foundation stone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence—worth over ₹350 crore—will be laid in Katra, aiming to improve healthcare services in the Reasi district.