Baramulla, The Azadi Times – Indian administered Kashmir: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the infrastructure projects to date — a 272-kilometre (169-mile) railway line connecting the Kashmir Valley to the Indian plains for the first time by train. The project is being promoted by Indian authorities as a strategic and logistical breakthrough, but on the ground, many Kashmiris continue to demand international attention and adherence to UN resolutions.
This event marks a significant political moment and a rare high-profile visit by Modi in Kashmir, a region where anti-India sentiment runs deep and the conflict remains unresolved.
A Monumental Railway in a Militarised Region
The new railway line begins in Udhampur, a garrison town in the Jammu region, and winds its way through Indian-administered Kashmir’s capital, Srinagar, ending in Baramulla, a town located near the highly militarised ceasefire line, Line of Control (LoC) that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan. The Indian government estimates the total cost of the project at around $5 billion.
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Dubbed one of the most difficult tracks in the world by Indian Railways, the route includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, traversing the mountainous Himalayan terrain. The line is expected to significantly improve the movement of goods, people, and troops in a region previously reliant on treacherous roads and limited air connectivity.
One of the project’s most notable engineering feats is the Chenab River Bridge — a 1,315-metre-long steel and concrete arch bridge suspended 359 metres above the river, making it taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris (330 metres). The structure is designed to withstand winds of up to 260 km/h (161 mph) and has a projected lifespan of 120 years.
Prime Minister Modi visited the Chenab Bridge under tight security, waved the Indian tricolour, and boarded a test train through the mountainous track to inaugurate another high-altitude structure — the Anji Bridge.
Modi’s Message vs Kashmir’s Reality
Addressing a state-organised event, Modi claimed the railway ensures all-weather connectivity, promotes spiritual tourism, and will open new livelihood opportunities for the region’s residents.
He also flagged off two “Vande Bharat” trains that aim to halve travel time between Srinagar and Katra, reducing the current six-to-seven-hour road journey to around three hours by rail.
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However, for many in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, Modi’s arrival and the railway celebration are seen through a different lens. Kashmiris, particularly in Jammu and Baramulla, continue to demand the implementation of United Nations resolutions that call for a plebiscite on Kashmir’s future — a promise long denied and politically buried by successive Indian governments.
Tensions Simmer Beneath the Surface
Modi’s visit to Kashmir comes just weeks after a deadly conflict between India and Pakistan nearly pushed both nuclear-armed nations to war. In late April, a shooting attack in Indian-administered Kashmir left 26 people dead, mostly Hindu tourists, triggering a wave of cross-border retaliation involving missiles and drones.
India has blamed Pakistan for allegedly supporting the attackers — a charge Islamabad has strongly denied. While India and Pakistan each control parts of Kashmir, both claim the region in its entirety, and Kashmir remains one of the most militarised and contested territories on the planet.
Since 1989, armed resistance groups have been fighting Indian rule in the region. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the armed groups’ aim of uniting Kashmir either with Pakistan or making it an independent nation. India maintains these groups are backed by Pakistan, while Pakistan insists it provides only diplomatic support to the Kashmiri cause.
Infrastructure vs Self-Determination
While Indian officials showcase the rail project as a symbol of development and integration, local voices tell a different story. Critics argue that such grand infrastructure projects are being used as political tools to strengthen New Delhi’s grip over the disputed territory, rather than addressing the core political issue — the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir.
In Jammu and across the valley, residents assert that development without dignity is not acceptable, and no number of bridges or trains can replace the fundamental right to decide their own political future.
Despite Modi’s rhetoric of unity and development, the ground reality in Kashmir remains tense, with civilians, activists, and journalists often under surveillance, detention, or facing restrictions. The heavy presence of security forces and lack of political dialogue continue to cast a long shadow over any celebration of connectivity.
Independent Journalism Under Threat
As an independent news organization in Kashmir, The Azadi Times reaffirms its commitment to presenting the untold side of the story. While mainstream Indian media hails Modi’s inauguration as a moment of pride, we stand with the voices who seek justice, dignity, and adherence to international law.
This project, as impressive as it may be in engineering terms, does not erase the reality that Kashmir remains a disputed territory, and its people continue to live under the shadow of military control, political repression, and broken promises.
The Train Arrives, But the Destination Remains Unclear
The new railway line may bring Kashmir physically closer to the Indian mainland, but it does little to bridge the political and emotional divide that continues to define the region. As the train speeds through the mountains, the call for freedom, dignity, and implementation of UN resolutions echoes louder than ever.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth and civil society, continue to remind the world that the real connection they seek is not of steel and tracks, but of truth, justice, and the right to determine their own future.
