PM Modi’s April 19 Srinagar visit postponed

PM Narendra Modi has postponed his much-anticipated visit to Jammu and Kashmir, originally scheduled for April 19. He had planned to inaugurate the Vande Bharat Express service between Katra and Srinagar, marking a significant milestone in boosting the region’s connectivity and infrastructure.

Also Read : Dhoni: Bowling Tweaks vs LSG to Ease Ashwin’s Load

PM’s visit to J&K postponed due to weather

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, MoS for the PM’s Office, confirmed that the postponement of PM’s visit resulted from adverse weather forecasts. Sources linked the decision to the IMD’s prediction of widespread rains across Jammu and Kashmir from April 18, with the heaviest impact expected on April 18 and 19.

Officials began extensive preparations for the high-profile visit, conducting mock drills and trial runs along the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line (USBRL). Authorities successfully conducted a trial run of the train on this route on Tuesday.

Also Read : MS Dhoni reveals changes in bowling strategy against LSG were made to ease pressure on Ashwin

PM’s visit prompts tightened security across J&K

In anticipation of Modi’s visit, security forces and police launched combing and search operations across the Union Territory. They placed the entire security grid on maximum alert, particularly focusing on Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, and Ramban districts to ensure safety and prevent any threats.

On Tuesday, security personnel searched the forests of Lassana in Poonch district. Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police for the Kashmir zone, V. K. Birdi, led a high-level security review meeting to assess preparations for Modi’s visit and the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, set to begin on July 3. The meeting focused on measures to maintain public safety, manage crowds, ensure smooth transportation, and prevent disruptions during both events. Authorities scheduled two Vande Bharat Express trains—one from Srinagar to Katra and another from Katra to Srinagar—for the inauguration day.