“Kashmir to Kanyakumari has now become a reality," Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday after inaugurating the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, which connects the Valley with the rest of India by a railway link, fulfilling a long-pending dream of Indians.

The Prime Minister said that several generations in Kashmir had dreamt of a railway connection. He added that even J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had recalled waiting for the project to be completed since he was in the 8th standard.

“This program is a festival of India’s unity and willpower. With the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, Kashmir has been connected by the railway. We have been saying Kashmir to Kanyakumari, now it’s a reality for the railway network too. I inaugurated the Chenab and Anji bridges. Two new Vande Bharat Trains have been given to J&K. The Foundation stone of a new medical college has been laid. Projects worth crores have been given. I congratulate you on all of them," the PM said.

“The dreams of the people have now been fulfilled. Many important tasks were left unfinished, and I took it upon myself to complete them," the Prime Minister said. He further added, “Our government has fulfilled this long-awaited dream. We stood by our promise, despite facing adverse conditions," he added.