Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 19 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah opted for a Vande Bharat Express journey to Jammu, choosing the semi-high-speed train over conventional travel methods. Sharing candid images of himself seated by the window with the train’s sleek interiors in the background, he captioned the post, “Time to head to Jammu.”
The Vande Bharat Express is widely recognized for its comfort, speed, and modern features, symbolizing India’s rail modernization drive. Omar Abdullah’s journey follows that of his father, National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah, who also traveled by Vande Bharat to Katra last week. Farooq Abdullah had visited the Maa Vaishno Devi shrine and said he had a “good darshan,” offering prayers for prosperity and brotherhood in the region.
The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, a recently launched route, is witnessing overwhelming demand with full bookings for the next 10 days, according to railway officials. A key feature of this rail corridor is its passage over the Chenab Bridge—the world’s highest railway arch bridge—which connects the Kashmir Valley to Jammu and the rest of India.
“The Chenab Bridge is the biggest gift to connect Jammu and Kashmir with the entire country,” Omar Abdullah said. “I had tears in my eyes when I crossed the Chenab Bridge. Finally, the day has come when we can travel from Kashmir to the rest of the country by train. I want to congratulate all the workers and engineers who built this bridge.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station on June 6, marking a historic milestone in the region’s transportation infrastructure.
The trains reduce the travel time between Katra and Srinagar by two to three hours, completing the journey in just about three hours. Engineered to endure the cold climate of the Kashmir Valley, these trains also run over India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge—Anji Khad Bridge—and the iconic Chenab Bridge.
The Chenab Rail Bridge stands 359 meters above the river, making it the highest railway arch bridge in the world. It spans 1,315 meters and is built to resist high seismic activity and strong wind conditions.
Part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, the entire 272-km stretch was constructed at a cost of approximately ₹43,780 crore. The project includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. It aims to provide all-weather, seamless connectivity and spur socio-economic integration of the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the nation. (ANI)
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