World's highest railway bridge opens in conflict-hit Kashmir
SRINAGAR — The world's highest railway bridge, an ambitious piece of engineering across a mountain valley in Kashmir, was opened Friday by Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi, just weeks after a deadly tourist massacre in the Himalayan region sparked a brief conflict with neighboring Pakistan.
Modi's visit to India-administered Kashmir was his first since a brief but deadly conflict between India and Pakistan in April. The nuclear-armed neighbors traded missiles, drones, and artillery shelling for four days after New Delhi blamed the massacre on its neighbor, which Pakistan denies.
Decades in the making, the arched Chenab Bridge sits 359 meters (about 1,180 feet) above the river of the same name – that's 29 meters (over 95 feet) higher than the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Costing more than $160 million with a length of 1,315 meters (4,314 feet), the bridge is part of the first railway link between Kashmir and the rest of India.
Modi's Hindu-nationalist government has moved to integrate the Muslim-majority region with the rest of the country, including revoking a constitutional provision that allowed it to set its own laws in 2019.
The Himalayan region of Kashmir is claimed by India, Pakistan and China. All three administer a part of the region, one of the most militarized zones in the world.
In addition to the Chenab Bridge, Modi also inaugurated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project, which connects key cities in India-administered Kashmir to the rest of India.
For Modi, who swept to power more than a decade ago on a ticket of nationalism and a promise of future greatness, investments in infrastructure like the Chenab Bridge and the broader rail link project can be seen as a powerful tool for social integration and political influence. Since he was first elected in 2014, the prime minister has rapidly expanded the region's road and rail connectivity, building networks that connect disparate towns with major cities.
In 2019, New Delhi revoked a constitutional provision giving India-administered Kashmir the autonomy to set its own laws. The southern and eastern portions of the region known previously as the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir became two separate union territories, bringing them under direct control of New Delhi – a move Modi claimed would promote stability, reduce corruption and boost the economy.
The Chenab Bridge is being hailed as a major win for Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party government.
His administration has poured billions into upgrading India's old and outdated transport network, part of its vision to transform the country into a developed nation by 2047.
Among these ambitious projects is the construction of several tunnels and highways in the mountainous Himalayan region which has been criticized by some environmentalists who say the heavy construction could damage fragile topography already feeling the effects from the climate crisis.
Modi's Char Dham Highway project, a multimillion-dollar infrastructure plan to improve connectivity in the state of Uttarakhand, came under fire in November 2023 when an under-construction mountain tunnel collapsed, trapping dozens of workers inside for several days with little water and oxygen.
In August that year, more than a dozen workers were killed after a bridge under construction collapsed in the northeastern state of Mizoram. In June, a four-lane concrete bridge that was being built across the River Ganges in the eastern state of Bihar collapsed for the second time in just over a year, raising questions about the quality of its construction. — CNN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
18 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan army chief calls for dialogue, diplomacy to resolve regional conflicts
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army chief advocated for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional conflicts in his interaction with American policy experts, analysts, scholars and representatives of foreign media outlets, the military's media wing said on Friday amid Islamabad's simmering tensions with New Delhi. Munir is on a solo trip to the US, where he met President Donald Trump for lunch on Wednesday in an unprecedented White House meeting. Trump told reporters afterward that the two had discussed the ongoing Iran-Israel crisis, and that the main reason he wanted to meet Munir was to thank him for not pursuing war with India last month. Pakistan and India remained engaged in a military confrontation for four days last month before Washington brokered a ceasefire between the two on May 10. Pakistan has since then sent delegations to various capitals around the world, urging countries to persuade India to resolve bilateral issues with Islamabad via dialogue and diplomacy. 'The Army Chief also provided a detailed exposition of Pakistan's balanced approach to regional and global conflicts, advocating for dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law,' the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, said. 'He reaffirmed that Pakistan continues to play a responsible and proactive role in mitigating regional tensions and promoting cooperative security frameworks.' Munir also spoke about Pakistan's recent conflict with India, elaborating on Pakistan's perspective on 'terrorism.' Without naming anyone in particular, the Pakistan army chief spoke about the influence of regional actors in sponsoring and perpetuating 'terrorism' as a tool of hybrid warfare. 'The COAS emphasized that Pakistan has been on the front lines of the global war against terrorism, having rendered immense sacrifices— both human and economic— in pursuit of a safer and more secure world,' the statement said. Pakistan denies India's allegations it supports militant attacks in the part of disputed Kashmir that New Delhi governs. After the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, a tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir, tensions between the two countries surged as New Delhi blamed Islamabad for being involved. Pakistan denied the allegations and called for an impartial, international probe into the incident. The Pakistan army chief spoke about his country's untapped potential in information technology, agriculture and its underexploited reserves in the mining and mineral sectors. Munir invited international partners to explore collaborative opportunities in these sectors to unlock 'shared prosperity,' the ISPR said. The discussion between Munir and the participants also involved an evaluation of the long-standing Pakistan–US partnership, the military's media wing said. 'The COAS [chief of army staff] underlined the historical convergences between the two nations, particularly in areas such as counterterrorism, regional security, and economic development,' the ISPR said. 'He underscored the immense potential for a broader, multidimensional relationship built upon mutual respect, shared strategic interests, and economic interdependence.' The ISPR said the interaction was marked by mutual understanding and was widely regarded as a 'positive step' toward enhancing strategic dialogue between the two countries. Pakistan's military plays a key role in shaping the country's foreign policy, and Munir's high-profile White House invitation is being seen as part of Washington's broader effort to recalibrate ties with Islamabad, a vital but often difficult ally for the US in South Asia. Under Trump, Islamabad and Washington both have appeared eager to rebuild military and economic cooperation after years of strained ties, largely over counter-terrorism disagreements.
Saudi Salary
a day ago
- Saudi Salary
اخبار عن نية اعادة كرايسلر لسيارتها الاسطورية 300 في عام 2026 ما هو التصميم الانسب لها برأيكم؟ هل مفروض تكون بنفس ال
MSP Fergus Ewing announces he will stand as an independent candidate in the 2026 Holyrood elections. Colin D Fisher/ MSP Fergus Ewing believes he has more to give and so he will run as an independent in next year's Scottish Parliament elections amid simmering anger at the current state of the SNP and Holyrood. After months of speculation surrounding the firebrand SNP politician , who has represented the area as a Nationalist since the parliament was formed in 1999, he told The Inverness Courier: 'I am to stand in the Holyrood elections next year,' because of 'unfinished business'. 'This has not been an easy decision,' he explained. 'I have taken it because I love the people of Inverness and Nairn and the people of Scotland more than my party.' • WATCH: Fergus Ewing's dualling pledge to the people of Inverness and Nairn to 'get the job done' • Years of SNP 'failures' led to Fergus Ewing's refusal to stand for the party Mr Ewing - son of the late Winnie Ewing, an icon of the independence movement - has been outspoken since the SNP failed to deliver on its promise to completely dual the A9 from Inverness-Perth by 2025, and insists the party which has been in power since 2007 'is letting Scotland's people down'. 'The party seems to have deserted many of the people whose causes we used to champion ,' he said. 'In oil and gas. Farming. Fishing. Rural Scotland. Tourism. Small business and many other areas of life. Betraying generations who fought for women's rights.' And after 26 years in Holyrood he said: 'I have seen the Scottish Parliament at its best and its worst. I fear in recent years it has been at its worst. 'That is why I am announcing my decision to stand for the honour of representing the people of Inverness and Nairn for the seventh time but this time as an independent.' Fergus Ewing: 'I have seen the best and the worst of our parliament… it is time to get back to the best'. But he will not resign from the SNP, the party his mother Winne helped to build, so bosses would have to expel him – surely a hugely unpalatable, unpopular move. Mr Ewing explained: 'I hope the SNP will change. And once again stand up for the interests of Scotland's people. So, I have no desire to resign my membership of nearly half a century.' Instead he wants to 'work within as a critical friend' because 'I believe the SNP has lost its way and that devolution itself – presently – is letting Scotland's people down. He added: 'It doesn't need to be this way. Holyrood is more fractious and tribal than ever before. 'Too much power rests unchecked in the hands of party leaders, free to choose candidates who will slavishly support them, rather than stand up for the people who sent them to Holyrood. Choosing the pliant over the talented.' Mr Ewing is not 'pliant' and in recent years his rebel stance has seen his popularity and standing grow as the reputation of the SNP and Holyrood has declined. His disenchantment is mirrored by a large body of his current constituents and others across the Highlands who in Mr Ewing they have found a representative MSP. Mr Ewing's fury with the course the SNP took was ignited in February of 2023 when it was confirmed the A9 dualling's 2025 deadline would be missed. Fergus Ewing: 'It is a great sadness' that the 'good faith promises' to dual the A9 and A96 have been broken. His wrath was nursed over the next few months by Greens-oriented policies that he saw as particularly destructive and damaging to the Highlands. On almost every occasion those policies either failed or were mothballed including highly protected marine areas – a policy so bad that it inspired a protest song. The SNP suspended him for not backing Greens minister Lorna Slater in a confidence vote over the deposit return scheme, which was cancelled at an estimated cost of £186 million. The A9 was just the tip of the iceberg as there was still the issue of the A96 dualling for which he was just as unforgiving, it is not hard to see why he is standing. Mr Ewing said: 'Sadly the SNP in Government have failed to deliver on their promises to dual the A9 by this year and the A96, including the Nairn bypass by 2030. 'There is not yet even a timetable for the Nairn bypass and there is no clear plan as to how the projects will be funded. 'This is simply not good enough. It is a betrayal. I cannot defend the indefensible, and so I cannot stand again as an SNP candidate. 'For these and many other reasons, I have decided that I will offer the people in Inverness and Nairn the chance to re-elect me as an independent voice, and pledging to get the job done – and force the next government to deliver. 'People locally know that I will never back- track, U Turn or urge a 'review' as the SNP government have done for the A96 – a review which, astonishingly, has taken nearly five years and remains incomplete. 'For me it is unfinished business.' Fergus Ewing: 'I do feel very sadly that my party has lost its way'. Instantly, the Inverness and Nairn race is one of the most compelling in the country with the LibDem, the SNP, Tory and Labour candidates already declared. Without Mr Ewing, who secured between 47-52 per cent of the vote at the last three elections, the seat was competitive. But that was four months ago, when he said he would not stand for the SNP because he 'simply cannot defend the record of the SNP government'. However, he reserved the option to run as an independent. Mr Ewing has now taken up the option with gusto firmly setting his sights on retaining the constituency seat and not entering his name as a Highland list candidate. He said: 'I am not seeking the 'insurance policy' of also putting myself forward to stand on the list - for the Highlands and Islands. 'I have served as a constituency MSP for 26 years and will strive over the next 11 months to continue in that role. 'Let the people decide.' Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print. Business Dual The A9 Latest News Nairnshire Politics Scott Maclennan
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
India won't accept third-party mediation on Kashmir, Modi tells Trump
DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told US President Donald Trump that Delhi will never accept third-party mediation with Pakistan on the issue of Kashmir, a senior diplomat said. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that Modi "strongly" conveyed India's long-held stand to Trump during a phone call between the two leaders on Tuesday. Trump has repeatedly offered to mediate between India and Pakistan to solve the "Kashmir issue" since a four-day conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May. The White House has not commented on India's statement. Misri also said that Modi told Trump "clearly" that during the duration of the conflict, "no talks were held at any level on the India-America trade deal or on the mediation between India and Pakistan by America". Trump has repeatedly claimed that India and Pakistan ended the conflict after a ceasefire brokered by the US and also that he used trade as a lever to make them agree. Pakistan has backed US claims of brokering the ceasefire but India has denied it. "The talks regarding cessation of military action were held directly between India and Pakistan under the existing channels established between both militaries," Mr Misri said. Last month, Trump told reporters: "I said, 'Come on, we're going to do a lot of trade with you guys [India and Pakistan]. Let's stop it. Let's stop it. If you stop it, we'll do a trade. If you don't stop it, we're not going to do any trade.'" Delhi is rushing to negotiate a trade deal with the Trump administration before a 90-day pause on higher tariffs ends on 9 July. Kashmir is a contentious issue for both India and Pakistan, who claim the region in whole, but administer it only in part. Bilateral talks over several decades have not led to any resolution. India treats Kashmir as an integral part of its territory and rules out any negotiation, particularly through a third party. Tensions escalated between the South Asian neighbours after India blamed Pakistan for a 22 April attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir in which 26 people, mainly tourists, were killed. Islamabad denied the charge. In May, India carried out air strikes on what it called terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan, leading to four days of intense military action from both sides of the border. Both countries accused each other of targeting airbases and other military sites. As the conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations threatened to escalate further, Trump announced on 10 May that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire", brokered by the US. Later, in a post on Truth Social, he said: "I will work with you both to see if, after a thousand years, a solution can be arrived at, concerning Kashmir." (The Kashmir issue only dates back to 1947). A statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio the same day said that the two countries had also agreed "to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site". On 11 May, Trump repeated praise for India and Pakistan's leaders for understanding it was "time to stop the current aggression", adding that he was proud the US "was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision". After Trump's statement on the ceasefire, Pakistan's foreign minister said the agreement had been reached by the two countries, adding that "three dozen countries" were involved in the diplomacy. India has, however, consistently denied any intervention by the US. Analysts say Trump's very public statements on offers of mediation over Kashmir have tested Delhi's red lines on the issue. Delhi has always encouraged its Western partners not to treat India and Pakistan as equals. It also discourages western leaders from undertaking visits to India and Pakistan at the same time. But Trump's tweets often hold India and Pakistan as equals. This has caused some discomfort in Delhi's diplomatic circles but analysts believe it's too early to say whether this will affect ongoing trade deal talks between Washington and Delhi. — BBC
