Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a historic rail link to Kashmir Valley and strongly condemned Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, accusing it of targeting insaniyat and Kashmiriyat to derail peace and harm the region’s tourism-based economy.

On June 6, 2025, during his official visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express train to Srinagar, inaugurated multiple infrastructure projects, and criticised Pakistan for attacking innocent tourists in Pahalgam. He said the objective behind the attack was to provoke communal unrest and disrupt livelihoods in a region already trying to heal from decades of unrest.

Vande Bharat Now Reaches Kashmir

The Vande Bharat train service to Srinagar, which is set to commence from June 7, marks the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), a monumental achievement for India’s railway connectivity in mountainous terrain. The 272-km-long railway stretch now provides seamless direct train access from across the country to the Kashmir Valley, a feat once thought impossible due to the region’s challenging geography.

This makes Kashmir Valley accessible by high-speed rail for the first time in history, providing a major boost to tourism, commerce, and local livelihoods.

The launch ceremony included the inauguration of two engineering marvels:

• Chenab Railway Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, towering at 359 metres above the riverbed

• Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, known for its complex architecture and seismic resistance

These bridges have overcome formidable geographical and engineering challenges, cementing India's place among nations capable of large-scale infrastructure in tough terrain.

Pakistan’s Motive is to Attack Unity, Says PM

In his speech, Prime Minister Modi accused Pakistan of a direct assault on India's unity by engineering the Pahalgam terror attack. According to him, the attack was designed to create panic, disrupt communal harmony, and hurt Kashmir's image as a peaceful tourist destination.

He said that the attack targeted not just people but the very ethos of insaniyat, Kashmiriyat, and jamhooriyat. The aim was to scare away tourists and thereby damage the livelihood of thousands of Kashmiri families who rely on tourism for survival.

The attack, which occurred just days earlier, had sparked outrage and mourning across the country. The victims, mostly tourists and locals associated with the hospitality sector, were deliberately targeted to deliver an economic and psychological blow, according to security experts.

PM Modi stated, We will not let these forces succeed. Kashmir is rising again and it will continue to rise.

₹46000 Crore Development Push in Reasi and Katra

Along with the inauguration of railway projects, PM Modi laid the foundation stone and launched multiple development schemes worth over ₹46000 crore. These are focused largely in the Reasi district and Katra, the base town for Vaishno Devi pilgrims.

Key initiatives include:

• Upgradation of infrastructure around the Trikuta Hills pilgrimage zone

• Road connectivity improvements between Katra, Reasi, and Jammu

• Investment in energy, water, and sanitation facilities

• Expanded accommodation and logistics support for tourists and pilgrims

The development blitz is part of the central government’s broader aim to turn Jammu and Kashmir into a year-round tourism and pilgrimage hub, with modern facilities that meet both domestic and global standards.

Political Significance and Public Sentiment

The visit also holds political significance, coming just months after the Lok Sabha elections and amid preparations for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, which are widely expected to be held before the end of the year.

Modi’s statements against Pakistan are being seen as a preemptive message on national security, aimed at bolstering the Centre’s tough stance on cross-border terrorism and at reinforcing faith among citizens in the newly stabilised Union Territory.

Public response in the region was notably positive, with crowds gathering along the railway route and project sites waving flags and chanting slogans in support of the PM. Many Kashmiris expressed hope that the improved connectivity and infrastructure would finally bring stable economic opportunities.

A New Era for Kashmir

With direct train access, cutting-edge bridges, and a massive infusion of developmental capital, Jammu and Kashmir now enters a new chapter of connectivity and economic integration. Officials believe the Vande Bharat link will dramatically increase tourist footfall, reduce dependency on air travel, and enable faster delivery of goods and services.

The twin achievements of engineering success and security focus define PM Modi’s message: India is committed to the upliftment of Kashmir, and it will not be deterred by those seeking to divide it.

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