India Unveils World’s Tallest Rail Bridge in J&K as PM Modi Flags Off Kashmir’s First Vande Bharat
PM Modi inaugurates Chenab Arch Bridge and launches first Vande Bharat train to Kashmir; Rahul Gandhi pitches caste census in Bihar; RBI cuts repo rate, COVID-19 cases rise again.

New Delhi, June 7: With the roar of applause echoing across the Chenab gorge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off a new chapter in India’s connectivity story on Friday, unveiling the world’s tallest railway bridge — a steel colossus that now stands as a defining feature of Jammu and Kashmir’s rugged landscape.
The monumental Chenab Railway Bridge, towering at 359 metres, overtakes even the Eiffel Tower in height. Built over one of the most difficult terrains Indian Railways has ever tackled, the bridge has become much more than an engineering milestone — it’s a political and symbolic triumph, one the Prime Minister was quick to frame as a testament to India’s resolve.
Kashmir Gets Its Rail Wings
Alongside the inauguration of the Chenab Arch, PM Modi also flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express to run between Katra and Srinagar — a long-awaited milestone that promises to drastically cut travel time and add a new dimension to movement across the Valley.
Designed to endure the cold winds and snow-laden tracks of Kashmir, this version of the semi-high speed train comes insulated, reinforced, and winter-proofed — a custom build for a region long isolated by mountains, both geographic and political.
Railway officials confirmed that regular services between Srinagar and Vaishno Devi Katra will begin on June 8 and operate six days a week. Pilgrims, traders, and locals alike will finally be connected without the detour through Jammu by road, a change likely to ripple across the economy of the region.
From Bridges to Battle Lines: Modi’s Message to Pakistan
PM Modi didn’t miss the moment to draw political contours either. In a firm tone during his 42-minute speech at the event, he referred to the April 22 attack in Kashmir, describing it as an assault on both “humanity and Kashmiriyat.” Without naming Pakistan directly, the message was clear. “We condemn those who dare to attack our soil,” he said. “Their doom has been cast.”
That language, stark and deliberate, echoed across platforms — especially against the backdrop of India’s diplomatic manoeuvring around its borders and infrastructure push in sensitive zones.
Rahul Gandhi Pushes for Caste Census, Slams Quota Cap
As Modi celebrated steel and strategy in the North, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was back in Bihar, anchoring his fifth visit in as many months with a clear-cut message — caste census, and now.
Speaking at a public gathering in Nalanda, the Gandhi scion made it plain that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was “afraid” of a real caste census because it would “upend their politics.” Sitting cross-legged on the ground with women from marginalized communities in Gayaji earlier in the day, Rahul’s approach seemed aimed at reclaiming lost political ground in a state where the caste matrix can tilt an entire election.
He didn’t stop there. He took on the 50% reservation ceiling, calling it “a fabricated limit set to benefit a few” and pledged to dismantle it if voted into power. His Bihar trips, timed meticulously ahead of the September-October assembly elections, are shaping into a slow but steady counter-offensive in the Hindi heartland.
RBI Slashes Rates, Banks Set to Ease Lending
In another corner of the news cycle, it was the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) making headlines with a bold move — a third repo rate cut this year. The latest 50 basis point trim has brought the rate down to 5.5%, a clear attempt to nudge the economy into higher gear amid inflationary jitters and global slowdown fears.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra explained the cut as part of a broader easing strategy, hinting at more supportive monetary conditions ahead. Home loan borrowers will likely see EMIs fall — for a ₹20 lakh loan over 20 years, the saving could touch ₹1.48 lakh.
But it was the tweak in gold loan rules that had the financial sector buzzing. The Loan-to-Value ratio for gold loans has now been lifted from 75% to 85% for amounts up to ₹2.5 lakh. It means borrowers can get up to ₹85,000 against gold worth ₹1 lakh — a move that disproportionately benefits middle and lower-income households.
Covid Resurfaces, States Scramble
Quietly, but steadily, COVID-19 has crept back into the national conversation. Active cases have ballooned from under 100 to over 5,000 in just three weeks, raising alarm bells in several states. Kerala is leading the count with more than 1,600 cases, followed by Gujarat and West Bengal.
While central health authorities haven’t yet issued new advisories, Odisha has taken the first step by reimposing mandatory masking in schools. The move follows concerns over new variants and a string of unreported infections emerging in rural districts.
Stampede Fallout: Virat Kohli Named in Complaint
In Bengaluru, an unexpected twist to a tragedy. A formal complaint has been filed against Virat Kohli in the aftermath of the June 4 stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL victory parade, which left 11 dead and dozens injured.
The complaint, lodged by activist HM Venkatesh, accuses Kohli of promoting the event irresponsibly, leading to massive overcrowding. Police have yet to file an FIR against the cricketer. Meanwhile, four event organisers, including RCB’s marketing head Nikhil Sosale, have been taken into judicial custody for 14 days.
The Karnataka High Court has provided interim protection to KSCA officials until June 16. With investigations widening, more heads could roll.
G7 Summit: Modi Gets Invitation, Accepts Amid Tense Backdrop
Even as diplomatic frost lingers between India and Canada, newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has extended an invitation to PM Modi for the G7 Summit in Alberta, scheduled between June 15–17.
According to reports, Carney personally called Modi to extend the invite and congratulate him on his re-election. The gesture, while cordial, comes amid unresolved tensions over Canada’s accusation of Indian involvement in the killing of separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year.
India, undeterred, is set to attend — and Modi’s presence will once again underline New Delhi’s growing geopolitical weight even in fora where it technically remains a guest.
Markets React to Policy Moves; Gold Dips, Silver Surges
On Dalal Street, it was a mixed bag. While gold prices saw a sharp dip — down ₹1,018 to ₹97,145 per 10 grams, silver soared to an all-time high of ₹105,285 per kg, gaining ₹610 in a single session.
The Nifty 50 closed 0.94% higher and Sensex rose by 0.9%, as investors cheered the RBI’s easing stance. Market watchers say the rally could continue if inflation data due next week shows a downward trend.
Source: Indian Express, Times of India, The Guardian, Economic Times, Indiatimes, Reuters, National Herald, New Indian Express
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Ravi Juneja is a student journalist currently pursuing his degree from Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication. With a passion for factual reporting and public interest stories, he covers a wide spectrum of news at Hindustan Herald, including politics, health, technology, entertainment, and global affairs. Ravi is committed to delivering balanced, research-backed journalism with a strong sense of responsibility and independence.