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PM Unveils World’s Tallest Rail Arch Bridge Over River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir

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During his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Bridge—the highest railway arch bridge in the world—on Friday. This marks the realization of a century-long aspiration to connect Kashmir by rail with the rest of India.

As he unveiled the bridge, PM Modi waved the Tiranga.




Towering 359 meters above the Chenab River, this 1,315-meter bridge, a key part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, is engineered to withstand winds up to 260 km/h and seismic events. It is anticipated to significantly cut travel time between Katra and Srinagar to approximately three hours.

Earlier, PM Modi engaged with J&K CM Omar Abdullah, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Union Minister Jitendra Singh while observing an exhibition about the USBRL project and interacting with project workers.

He will also launch two Vande Bharat Express trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back, with the ceremony taking place in Katra, the base town for the Vaishnodevi shrine. Following this, the Vande Bharat trains will operate between Katra in Jammu and Baramulla in northern Kashmir.

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The train service’s initial launch date of April 19 was postponed due to forecasted severe weather and was further delayed following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, subsequently leading to Operation Sindoor, during which Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure and military installations in Pakistan and PoJK from May 7 to 10.

Before the train services commence from Katra, PM Modi will also visit Anji, where the country’s first cable-stayed bridge is located on the railway line in Reasi district.

Throughout the day, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Anji Bridge and lay the groundwork for multiple developmental projects amounting to over ₹46,000 crore in Katra, including the USBRL project, which has been developed at an estimated cost of ₹43,780 crore and consists of 36 tunnels and 943 bridges. This initiative aims to ensure all-weather rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, facilitating regional mobility and socio-economic integration.

Additionally, he will lay the foundation stone for a road widening project from Rafiabad to Kupwara on National Highway-701 and the construction of the Shopian bypass road on NH-444, with costs exceeding ₹1,952 crore. Furthermore, the Prime Minister will inaugurate two flyover projects at Sangrama Junction on National Highway-1 in Srinagar and at Bemina Junction on National Highway-44, which will significantly alleviate traffic congestion and improve traffic flow for commuters.

Moreover, the foundation stone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra will also be laid, with an investment surpassing ₹350 crore. This will serve as the first medical college in the Reasi district, greatly enhancing the region’s healthcare infrastructure.

#WATCH | J&K: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves the Tiranga as he inaugurates Chenab Bridge – the world’s highest railway arch bridge. #KashmirOnTrack
(Video: DD) pic.twitter.com/xfBnSRUQV5
— ANI (@ANI) June 6, 2025

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MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

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New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.

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8 Patients Dead In Jaipur Hospital Fire

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Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.

Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.

Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.

Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.

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75-Year-Old Man Marries 35-Year-Old, Dies Before Honeymoon

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Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.

The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.

The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”

However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.

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Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.

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