With the high-speed train’s flag-off on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed the ambitious 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL).

In the midst of winding tunnels built deep into the heart of the Shivaliks, the train gracefully winds through tiny gorges, deep valleys crowned with towering Himalayan peaks and beautiful green forests, while the River Chenab runs parallel to it.

The journey from Katra to Srinagar takes less than three hours thanks to the sleek, contemporary train, which operates six days a week.

Rarely in a country’s history does a leader’s deed have an impact that goes well beyond the physical gesture; it addresses enemies directly, boosts national morale, and determines the future. One such instance was when Prime Minister Narendra Modi crossed the Chenab Bridge, the tallest railway bridge in the world, while holding the tricolor in his right hand.

It was a daring declaration, silent but decisive, symbolic yet calculated. The Prime Minister’s momentous step was more than simply an example of Indian engineering prowess; it was a daring message to those who have long attempted to use terror and covert aggression to destabilize India.

Pakistan and its terrorist network have been fighting a ceaseless proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India for more than thirty years. They have sought to maintain unrest in India and Jammu & Kashmir through radicalization and cross-border infiltration. And in response to the terror assault in Pahalgam, India launched Operation Sindoor, demonstrating both diplomatic and military strength.

India’s developmental successes persisted during this operation. A strong message was sent to Pakistan, its friends, and the rest of the world by the walk on the Chenab Bridge.

In addition to demonstrating a change in India’s strategy from deterrence to direct action, PM Modi demonstrated territorial sovereignty by walking that bridge with the flag raised.

PM Modi’s crossing of the Chenab Bridge had psychological as well as physical effects. It symbolized an India that is moving forward with determination, dignity, and self-assurance rather than looking back. The act of holding the flag represented possession of the land, the future, and the story.

When it counts, leaders are frequently remembered for their actions as much as their words. PM Modi’s stroll over the Chenab Bridge was historic and symbolic, with the tricolor flapping in the Himalayan winds.

The USBRL project, an engineering marvel that comprises tunnels, bridges, and winter-proof equipment built to withstand Kashmir’s harsh climate, was completed concurrently with the launch. Even in the event of winter, the train’s sophisticated features guarantee year-round operation.

Railway authorities say that Vande Bharat trains 26401/02 and 26403/04 will provide excellent passenger comfort and state-of-the-art technology on this route.