NEW DELHI (AP) – On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated one of India’s most ambitious railway initiatives to date.
The 272-kilometer (169-mile) railway line, labeled as one of the world’s most challenging tracks by Indian Railways, begins in Udhampur, a stronghold city in the Jammu region, and traverses through the main city of Srinagar in Indian-controlled Kashmir. The line culminates in Baramulla, a town situated near the heavily militarized dividing line in the Himalayas between India and Pakistan.
This route features 36 tunnels and more than 943 bridges, with the total cost of the project set by the Indian government at approximately $5 billion.
A standout feature of the project is the 1,315-meter (4,314-foot) long steel and concrete bridge over the Chenab River, elegantly connecting two mountains at 359 meters (1,177 feet) above the water. Indian Railways has compared its height to that of Paris’ Eiffel Tower, which stands at 330 meters (1,082 feet), asserting that the bridge is designed to endure 120 years and withstand extreme weather, including wind gusts up to 260 kph (161 mph).
Modi visited the Chenab Bridge amid heavy security, waving Indian tricolor flags before boarding the test train that travels through stunning mountainous terrain and tunnels.
Additionally, Modi introduced a new train service called “Vande Bharat,” which will reduce travel time between Srinagar and Katra in Jammu from the usual 6 to 7 hours to a mere 3 hours.
This marked Modi’s first visit to India-controlled Kashmir. Military tensions between India and Pakistan escalated last month, with both nations launching missiles and drones, nearly pushing the nuclear-armed rivals to the brink of war.
The conflict intensified following a Gun Massacre in late April, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, mostly Hindu tourists, in the region. India has accused Pakistan of backing the assailants, a claim that Islamabad denies.
Speaking at an official rally in Katra, Modi criticized Pakistan, asserting that Islamabad was allegedly complicit in the massacre. He stated that the attack primarily targeted Kashmir’s flourishing tourism sector and was designed to incite further violence.
“I assure you, I will not cease development efforts in Kashmir,” Modi promised, emphasizing that the new rail connections will invigorate local industries and businesses.
Railway projects are seen as crucial for enhancing tourism and fostering development in areas long affected by extremism and unrest. This line is expected to facilitate the movement of Indian troops and civilians into conflict-prone areas that are currently accessible only via landslide-prone air travel and treacherous mountain paths.
India and Pakistan each govern parts of Kashmir, yet both claim ownership of the entire territory. Extremists in the Indian-administered region have been opposing New Delhi’s control since 1989, with many Muslim Kashmiris supporting the rebels’ aspirations for either integration with Pakistan or independence.
India contends that the militants operating in Kashmir are backed by Pakistan, a claim Islamabad rejects. The strife has resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities among civilians, insurgents, and government forces.
Source: apnews.com