Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir to a grand welcome by huge, euphoric crowds.
The Prime Minister flagged off the semi-high-speed train at Katra railway station, where he also spent time greeting children on board.
Listening to their observations of the new train, PM Modi waved the symbolic green flag, formally commissioning the long-awaited service.
When the train left, slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" reverberated in the station, highlighting the patriotic enthusiasm of the congregation.
Attested with sophisticated features, the Vande Bharat express has been specifically designed to withstand the extreme weather in the area, providing comfort and dependability to commuters in the Union Territory.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister unveiled the iconic Chenab Railway Bridge — the world's tallest railway bridge measuring 359 metres in height, which is a full 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. After the unveiling, he attended a photo exhibition featuring the gigantic engineering challenges the bridge faced during its construction.
During the show, PM Modi interacted with the engineers and workers who braved tough terrain and inclement climate in order to finish the record-breaking structure. Appreciating their dedication, he hailed the project as a reflection of exceptional engineering and national pride.
Those present on the visit included Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of State in the PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh, and Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. They joined the Prime Minister while he took a stroll around the exhibition.
Railway Board CEO Satish Kumar updated the PM on the technical details and innovative concepts employed in constructing the bridge. Kumar also accompanied the Prime Minister when he took a tour of the bridge's inaugural track.
PM Modi was told that the Katra-Srinagar railway line is the first ever to adopt completely mechanised maintenance in India, marking new standards of safety and efficiency on Indian Railways.
Apart from the Chenab Bridge, the Prime Minister also dedicated the Anji Khad cable-stayed railway bridge — the first of its kind in the nation. Holding the national flag in hand, PM Modi crossed the bridge and also rode over it in a railway coach, accompanied by L-G Sinha, Minister Vaishnaw, and CM Abdullah.
While the Prime Minister flagged off the Katra-to-Srinagar train service physically, the back service from Srinagar to Katra will be virtualy inaugurated.
In a big development drive, PM Modi will also lay the foundation stones and inaugurate the following projects worth a total investment of ₹46,000 crore.
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