Security arrangements have been significantly stepped up in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile visit to Reasi district, with heightened vigilance in Katra city and surrounding areas. The visit will see the launch and inauguration of multiple major infrastructure projects, including Vande Bharat trains, strategic bridges, and a landmark medical institute.
Security forces conducted intensive checks in Ramban district using dog squads and carried out thorough vehicle inspections, while vigilance was also heightened at Udhampur Railway Station to ensure the Prime Minister’s safe arrival.
In anticipation of the visit, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh reviewed preparations at Katra railway station and inspected the Vande Bharat trains scheduled for launch. Reflecting on the long-awaited project, Omar Abdullah said, “This rail project began when I was in 7th or 8th standard. Now my children have finished college. Better late than never—this will solve major travel and fare-related issues, especially during highway blockages.”
Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted the significance of the new infrastructure, stating, “When PM Modi assumed office in 2014, the Chenab bridge work had almost halted amid doubts about its feasibility. Today, it stands as a symbol of possibility. Travel to Srinagar will now take just three hours, reducing pressure on highways and boosting business.”
The Northern Railway has confirmed the commencement of regular Vande Bharat Express services between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra starting June 7. The high-speed trains will operate six days a week, significantly enhancing connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and one of India’s most important pilgrimage destinations.
During his visit, PM Modi will inaugurate the Chenab and Anji bridges and flag off the Vande Bharat trains at noon. He will also lay the foundation stones and dedicate to the nation development projects worth over ₹46,000 crore.
These include the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), which will revolutionize rail connectivity in the region. Two new Vande Bharat trains will be flagged off between Katra and Srinagar as part of this initiative.
Additionally, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for road projects such as the widening of the Rafiabad–Kupwara road (NH-701) and the construction of the Shopian bypass (NH-444), worth over ₹1,952 crore. He will also inaugurate two flyovers—at Sangrama Junction (NH-1) and Bemina Junction (NH-44)—aimed at easing congestion in Srinagar.
A significant healthcare boost is also on the agenda, with PM Modi set to lay the foundation stone of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra. Valued at over ₹350 crore, the institute will become the first medical college in Reasi district and strengthen the region’s medical infrastructure.
This marks PM Modi’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir following Operation Sindoor, India’s precision strike on terror camps in Pakistan on May 7, in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives.
With the massive scale of development initiatives and heightened security, the visit underscores the Centre’s commitment to the transformation and long-term progress of Jammu and Kashmir.
