Jammu, June 5 – As Prime Minister Narendra Modi gears up for a significant visit to Jammu & Kashmir this Friday, the region is witnessing not just tightened security, but also a wave of anticipation and hope. This visit, his first since the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in April that claimed 26 lives—most of them tourists—carries emotional and strategic weight.
Behind the scenes, thousands of personnel are working around the clock to ensure a peaceful and smooth visit. Security has been ramped up across the Union Territory with a multi-layered setup involving the police, army, paramilitary forces, and intelligence agencies. Drones now dot the skies, and sensitive areas are under constant surveillance. Officials have also intensified searches and area domination operations to prevent any untoward incidents.
But this visit is not just about security—it’s about connection, progress, and national pride.
In Katra, the gateway to the revered Vaishno Devi shrine, PM Modi will inaugurate the long-awaited Kashmir rail link—the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL)—which now fully connects the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India via rail. The crowning jewels of this project include the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch, and the Anji cable-stayed bridge, a first of its kind in India. Together, they represent a feat of modern engineering and resilience.
At the heart of the ceremony is more than Rs 46,000 crore worth of development initiatives. These include laying the foundation stone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, a first for the Reasi district, which is expected to bring much-needed healthcare infrastructure to the region.
Travelers, pilgrims, and locals alike will benefit from two new Vande Bharat Express trains, set to operate between Katra and Srinagar, offering fast, comfortable connectivity. In addition, new road projects, flyovers, and bypasses are being launched to enhance mobility, especially in border and remote areas.
While traffic restrictions and diversions may affect routine on Friday, the larger sentiment is one of optimism. From railway workers to pilgrims, and students to traders, many see this visit as a turning point—not just for infrastructure, but for unity and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
Deputy Inspector General Shiv Kumar, during his visit to border zones on Wednesday, echoed a sentiment of vigilance blended with duty: “We are alert, and we are ready. This visit is a message that progress marches forward, even in the face of adversity.”
In every corner of the Valley, the message is clear: the future is arriving, on tracks that carry more than trains—they carry trust, transformation, and a shared national dream.
