PM inaugurates Chenab and Anji rail bridges, dedicates USBRL to the nation and flags off Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat trains
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Bridge at Katra on 6 June 2025, dedicating the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link to the nation.
Summary
The Chenab Rail Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Bridge, India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, were inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jammu & Kashmir on 6 June 2025, as part of projects worth over ₹46,000 crore launched at Katra. The Chenab Bridge stands 359 metres above the river and is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge built to withstand seismic and wind conditions. The Prime Minister dedicated the 272 km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), built at about ₹43,780 crore with 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges, which gives the Kashmir Valley all-weather rail connectivity with the rest of the country. He also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, which will cover the journey in about 3 hours, and laid the foundation stone of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra.
Key facts
- Date/place
- 6 Jun 2025, Katra (J&K)
- Chenab Bridge
- World's highest railway arch bridge; 359 m above river; 1,315 m long
- Anji Bridge
- India's first cable-stayed rail bridge
- USBRL
- 272 km; about ₹43,780 crore; 36 tunnels (119 km), 943 bridges
- Vande Bharat
- Two trains, Katra–Srinagar, about 3 hours
- Total projects
- Over ₹46,000 crore
Practice MCQs 6 questions
At what height above the river is the Chenab Rail Bridge, inaugurated on 6 June 2025, situated?
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Correct answer: D — 359 metres
The Chenab Rail Bridge is situated at a height of 359 metres above the river, making it the world's highest railway arch bridge.
Which bridge inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 6 June 2025 is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge?
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Correct answer: B — Anji Bridge
The Anji Bridge is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, built to serve the nation in challenging terrain.
What is the length of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) dedicated to the nation on 6 June 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 272 km
The USBRL project is 272 km long and was built at about ₹43,780 crore.
Consider the following statements about the projects inaugurated in Jammu & Kashmir on 6 June 2025: 1. The USBRL project includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges. 2. The Chenab Rail Bridge is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The USBRL has 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges, and the Chenab Rail Bridge is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge.
Between which stations did the Prime Minister flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains on 6 June 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar
The Prime Minister flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains running between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, which take about 3 hours for the journey.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, whose foundation stone was laid in Katra on 6 June 2025, will be the first medical college in which district?
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Correct answer: B — Reasi
The institute in Katra, worth over ₹350 crore, will be the first medical college in Reasi district.