Latest news with #Udhampur-Srinagar-BaramullaRailwayLink
Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kangana Ranaut on 11 years of Modi government: Keeping the promise
Narendra Modi, infrastructure development, national highways, rail connectivity, Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link, Chenab Bridge, Anji Khad Bridge, urban transport, electric buses, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Saubhagya Scheme, Ayushman Bharat, Jan Dhan Yojana, Digital India, UPI, Subhadra Yojana, environmental sustainability, National Education Policy 2020, PM SHRI schools, PM-Kisan, Polavaram project, defense modernization, G20, foreign policy, economic reforms, GST, corporate tax, Startup India, Stand-Up India, Atal Innovation Mission, Chandigarh-Manali highway tunnels, Chenab Rail Bridge, Vande Bharat trains, self-reliant India, inclusive growth, global leadership A political, economic, and social transformation has been underway in the past 11 years. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has emerged as a self-reliant, inclusive, and globally respected nation. The foundation of this transformation rests on infrastructure. Connectivity was a major concern when PM Modi assumed office in 2014. Today more than 146,000 km of national highways — as against 91,000 km in 2014 — bridge the gap between rural and urban, between aspiration and opportunity. The highways have been supplemented by a revolution in rail connectivity, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. The commissioning of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link and engineering marvels like the Chenab Bridge and the Anji Khad Bridge mark the victory of human will over terrain. Urban transport has also undergone a green transformation with the introduction of electric buses, including in the national capital. The provision of housing has become a national mission. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is about providing dignity to the poorest — a rural family assigned a pucca house with electricity and toilets signals an end to generational poverty. The Saubhagya Scheme to provide electricity to nearly 3 crore unelectrified households has to be counted as a big public welfare success story. Electricity means security, education and economic activity for homes in rural India. Health sector reform, especially the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, has followed the path of inclusivity. Illness is no longer equated with bankruptcies. The Jan Dhan scheme has led to financial inclusion. Subsidies, scholarships, pensions, and relief funds are routed through such accounts, obviating the need for a middleman. The Digital India campaign is another success. UPI is today used by people across economic strata. Digital India is also about access and transparency — the two pillars of good governance. This revolution would not be complete without the recognition that Indian women should be at the forefront of this agenda. Subhadra Yojana is one such expression of this gender-sensitive policy approach. Environmental issues have received importance. Syncing development with ecology has been part of the Modi government's credo. The National Education Policy, 2020, has addressed the future — AI, innovation, interdisciplinary research — while remaining rooted in India's heritage. Government school upgradation under the PM SHRI scheme made sure that the policy was translated into action. Agriculture has undergone structural change. PM-Kisan provides income support to 11 crore farmers every year. Projects such as the Polavaram irrigation scheme tried to solve the problems of water availability. On defence, the government's message has been unequivocal — India will not ignore the strategic requirements at its frontiers. On the global stage, India found a more confident voice. From G20 summits to diplomatic dialogues, India emerged not just as a participant, but a shaper of global narratives. Our foreign policy reflects pride in our civilisational identity while adapting to 21st-century realities. The economy has remained resilient in the face of global uncertainties. Reforms ranging from GST to cutting corporate tax made India an investment hub. The country is among the world's fastest-growing economies. Job creation was facilitated by the sheer volume of infrastructure development. The welfare model has empowered people. From ending redundant laws to creating simplified tax systems, the effort has been to make government effective and citizen-friendly. The youth have been at the core of the government's initiatives. Startup India, Stand-Up India, and the Atal Innovation Mission empower a generation to be job creators. India has seen massive infrastructure transformation; two examples are the Chandigarh–Manali highway tunnels and the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, the road to Manali was riddled with traffic jams, landslides, and long travel hours. With the construction of more than 14 tunnels and multiple bypasses, the travel time has been cut by almost four hours. Equally remarkable is the Chenab Bridge. Connecting Katra to Srinagar through the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, this bridge is a lifeline for the people of J&K. With the launch of Vande Bharat trains on this route, the region is now more connected than ever. Modi government's 11 years have not merely been about numbers and schemes; they have been about fulfilling a vision. India is more secure, integrated, and future-ready. The writer is the BJP MP for Mandi
India.com
12-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Vande Bharat BIG Update: After Katra-Srinagar, Indian Railways to run new Vande Bharat from Mumbai to…, check details here
Image for representational purposes New Delhi: Indian Railways has witnessed massive transformation in the last 11 years under the Narendra Modi government. The Central government has implemented a slew of programs that have changed the face of the sector. From redevelopment of platforms to 100 percent electrification of railway tracks, the government has been working relentlessly to make the traveling experience of the passengers comfortable and convenient. Over the past decade, the Indian Railways has launched many new trains like Vande Bharat. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 272 kilometres long Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project in Jammu & Kashmir. As part of the launch, PM Modi also inaugurated the Chenab railway bridge, Anji Khad railway bridge and flag off two pairs of new Vande Bharat train services as well. With this inauguration, Kashmir finally gets all-weather railway connectivity with the rest of India. Indian Railways will commence regular operations of the two new Vande Bharat Express trains to Kashmir from June 7, 2025 – a day after PM Modi's inauguration of train services to Kashmir. Now, according to the reports, a new Vande Bharat train will run between Chhatrapati Shahu Terminus and Mumbai. A demand in this regard was made in the Zonal Railway Passenger Advisory Committee meeting, as per the report by Saam. Here are some of the important details: This train is likely to start running from the terminus in the next fifteen days. It is important to note that there are a large number of people traveling between Kolhapur and Mumbai, but there are no trains for the journey, which is causing problems for many. Currently, the Vande Bharat train is running between Pune and Kolhapur. Railway Advisory Committee member Shivnath Biyani reiterated the demand for Kolhapur-Mumbai Vande Bharat Railway in the meeting. Currently, the Vande Bharat train is running from Kolhapur to Pune. The new Vande Bharat train will have eight coaches and will carry 550 passengers. This train was inaugurated on September 16, 2024 through video conferencing in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It runs three days a week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It has eight coaches, including AC Chair Car and AC Executive Chair Car. However, since this train only runs up to Pune, there was a constant demand from traders, employees and passengers to take it to Mumbai.
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Business Standard
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
'Don't make me unnecessarily famous', says Chenab bridge project engineer
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir last Friday. Soaring 359 metres above the Chenab River—35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower—it is now the tallest railway arch bridge in the world. As the nation celebrated this engineering feat, G Madhavi Latha, a key contributor to the project, offered a humble tribute to the many behind-the-scenes heroes who made it possible. 'I salute the millions of unsung heroes,' said G Madhavi Latha, a Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. She served as a geotechnical consultant to Afcons, the engineering firm that executed the construction of the Chenab Bridge. 'My role was to help in developing slope stabilisation schemes and design of foundations on slope,' she wrote in a LinkedIn post shortly after the inauguration. A veteran of the project for 17 years, Latha distanced herself from headlines that referred to her as the 'woman behind the mission' or someone who 'performed miracles to build the bridge'. She called such descriptions 'baseless' and urged the public not to single her out. 'Please don't make me unnecessarily famous,' she said. 'I am one of the thousands who deserve appreciation for Chenab Bridge.' Currently attending a conference in Spain, she expressed gratitude to those who reached out with congratulations. 'Many fathers have written to me saying that they want their daughters to become like me. Many young kids have written to me that they now want to take up Civil Engineering as their career choice,' Latha shared. In a touching tribute, she said, 'All glory belongs to Indian Railways,' acknowledging both the national transporter and Afcons for executing what many once considered an impossible task. The Chenab Bridge is part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, designed to enhance connectivity in the Kashmir Valley. Built at a cost of ₹1,486 crore, the project faced formidable challenges including harsh terrain, seismic vulnerabilities, and unpredictable geology. Latha and her team played a pivotal role in steering the bridge through these obstacles. Their approach—described as 'design-as-you-go'—meant adapting to real-time discoveries such as fractured rock layers and hidden cavities that earlier surveys had not detected. Her expertise in rock anchor design and slope stability was critical in ensuring the safety and success of the project. She has documented this technical journey in a paper titled 'Design as You Go: The Case Study of Chenab Railway Bridge', published in the Indian Geotechnical Journal's special issue dedicated to women engineers.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
'Don't make me famous': IISc woman professor's response to praise for Chenab Railway bridge goes viral
At a time when social media often turns professionals into overnight celebrities, a quiet and humble post by an Indian scientist is winning hearts across the country. Dr. G Madhavi Latha , a geotechnical engineering professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), recently took to LinkedIn to acknowledge the inauguration of the world's highest railway bridge—the Chenab Bridge. But instead of basking in the spotlight, her post urged restraint: 'Please don't make me unnecessarily famous.' Her message, laced with humility and clarity, is going viral for all the right reasons. On June 6, India celebrated the inauguration of the Chenab Railway Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, an engineering marvel that stands 359 metres above the riverbed, 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. As images of the breathtaking bridge began flooding timelines, so did tributes to the minds behind it. Among them was Dr. Latha, who played a key role in the project's structural stability and slope design, but insists her contribution was just one among thousands. Her LinkedIn Post 'I was a geotechnical consultant to AFCONS,' she wrote, explaining that her role focused on developing slope stabilisation schemes and designing foundations on the precarious Himalayan terrain. She added that headlines calling her 'the woman behind the mission' or claiming she 'performed miracles' were baseless. 'There are millions of unsung heroes to whom I salute today,' she wrote, adding that all credit belongs to Indian Railways and the entire engineering team. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo The Chenab Bridge, a Rs 1,486 crore endeavour, is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), one of India's most ambitious and challenging infrastructure projects. The mountainous terrain, harsh weather, and unstable slopes made the engineering feat anything but ordinary. Dr. Latha's technical guidance spanned nearly two decades, and her published paper on the bridge's geotechnical complexities has been widely appreciated within the engineering community. You Might Also Like: From small Andhra village to world record: Anand Mahindra salutes woman professor behind the Chenab railway bridge Yet, Dr. Latha, currently in Spain for a conference, used her viral moment to redirect attention to the collaborative nature of national projects. She acknowledged the emotional outpouring from families and students who said she inspired them, but gently reminded the public that she was 'just one among thousands.' About Dr Latha Dr. Latha's journey, however, is undeniably inspiring. Raised in a small village in Andhra Pradesh, she earned her from JNTU, her from NIT Warangal (where she won a gold medal), and a PhD from IIT Madras. Now a senior professor at IISc Bengaluru , she has received several accolades, including the Best Woman Geotechnical Researcher Award (2021) and recognition among India's 'Top 75 Women in STEAM' (2022).
NDTV
10-06-2025
- NDTV
"Huge Blessing": Farooq Abdullah Takes A Ride In Vande Bharat From Srinagar
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah took a ride on the Vande Bharat train from Nowgam Railway Station in Srinagar to Katra. Nowgam Railway Station is a crucial part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, connecting Kashmir to Jammu area and the rest of India. Speaking to reporters, Farooq Abdullah expressed his happiness and termed this train as "a huge blessing" for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that the train will benefit the people of J-K and tourists a lot. The National Conference chief said, "I am very happy that I am travelling on this train to Katra. This is a huge blessing for us and is going to benefit tourists a lot. It is difficult to travel by road, and prices for air travel are extremely high. This train is going to benefit us a lot." The two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station, directly connecting the Jammu division with Kashmir, were flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6. The new Vande Bharat Express train will take just about three hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing the existing travel time by two to three hours. These trains have been specially designed to operate in the cold climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley. The train will run through the Anji Khad Bridge, which is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, which is the highest railway arch bridge in the world. Prime Minister also inaugurated the world's highest railway arch bridge - 'Chenab Railway Bridge' and India's first cable-stayed 'Anji Bridge' in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. This marks a major milestone in Jammu and Kashmir's railway connectivity. The architectural marvel Chenab Rail Bridge, situated 359 metres above the river, is the world's highest railway arch bridge. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions. A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. All these projects are part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. The USBRL project is 272 kilometres long, constructed worth around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration.
