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| Vande Bharat Moves Faster | | | Vande Bharat Express has achieved yet another milestone by crossing the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji at 100 kmph.
The speed limit has been raised to 111-km Katra-Banihal section. It is a crucial and technically challenging component of the USBRL project, which has provided seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.
The Chenab railway bridge has emerged as an engineering landmark. Rising high above the Chenab River, it represents India’s ability to execute complex infrastructure projects in some of the most demanding terrains. Similarly, the Anji Khad cable-stayed bridge demonstrates the application of advanced engineering techniques to overcome difficult topographical conditions.
However, the real importance of these structures lies not merely in their architectural or engineering value. Their greatest contribution is connectivity. For decades, the mountainous geography of Jammu and Kashmir posed a formidable challenge to the expansion of the railway network. The completion of the USBRL has fundamentally changed that equation by providing seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.
The Vande Bharat service adds another dimension to this connectivity. Faster and more comfortable rail travel can significantly benefit residents, students, patients, traders, tourists and business communities. Improved connectivity can also strengthen tourism and facilitate the movement of goods and services, thereby contributing to regional economic activity.
For Kashmir, the railway is not simply another mode of transport. It is an important instrument of economic integration and opportunity. Better rail connectivity can reduce travel time, improve accessibility and provide people with greater mobility. It can also make the Valley more accessible to visitors while helping local producers reach wider markets.
The latest milestone deserves to be viewed as part of a larger transformation. The Chenab bridge, the Anji bridge and the upgraded Katra-Banihal section demonstrate that difficult terrain need not remain an insurmountable barrier to connectivity.
The journey from engineering ambition to operational reality has taken years. As trains now traverse these remarkable structures, the achievement carries a broader message: modern infrastructure can connect not only places, but also people, markets and opportunities. The continuing development of the rail network should therefore remain focused on safety, reliability, accessibility and sustainable growth, ensuring that the benefits of this historic connectivity reach every section of society. |
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