Srinagar, June 5 -- Speaking to reporters, Vaishnaw said work at the Jammu Railway Station is progressing fast. "With platform 5 and 6 becoming operational soon, Vande Bharat will connect Jammu and Srinagar directly," he said.

He claimed the project made little headway from 2004 to 2014, with work limited to the plains. "Only under PM Modi's leadership was there political and technical push to finish this difficult but vital project," he said.

The minister praised the engineering marvels achieved in USBRL, especially the 1.3-km-long Chenab Bridge - the world's highest railway arch - and the country's first cable-stayed rail bridge at Anji Khad. He said both bridges were built to withstand extreme weather, seismic risks, and high wind sp...