Srinagar/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated Chenab Railway Bridge, the tallest railway bridge in the world, in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Along with Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were present at the inauguration.

The Prime Minister has also flagged off Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, which connects Kashmir to the Indian railway network.

An integral part of the 338 km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), the bridge connects Katra to Srinagar and finally to the Baramulla terminus.

The bridge, which was approved in 2002 under then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, enables Vande Bharat Express trains to run from Katra to Srinagar, reducing the journey to under three hours and significantly boosting tourism and regional economy.

The first ever-rail link from Jammu to Kashmir valley, Chenab Bridge's construction started in 2017 under the Modi government.

Made from roughly 25,000 tons of steel plus concrete, the bridge is 1,178 ft tall and 1,315 m long.

The commercial operations will begin on June 7.

The bridge has been inaugurated in Modi's inaugural visit to Jammu and Kashmir since the Pahalgam terror attack, which took place on April 22.