Katra, April 15:
In a landmark development for Indian Railways and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to flag off the first-ever Vande Bharat Express to the Kashmir Valley from Katra on April 19.
The high-speed train, designed to withstand the cold climatic conditions of the region, will run between Katra and Srinagar, offering direct rail connectivity for the first time to the Valley through the prestigious Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
In addition to launching the train service, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the final stretch of the USBRL project, a 272-kilometre engineering marvel that includes the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge over Anji Khad.
Trial runs on the Katra–Sangaldan section of the line were conducted successfully earlier this week.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Sat Sharma, speaking to ANI, expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for completing the project within the committed timeframe. “Crores of pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi will now be able to continue their journey to Srinagar seamlessly. This initiative will also showcase the beauty and culture of Jammu and Kashmir to the rest of the country,” he said.
The Railway Board’s Executive Director of Information and Publicity, Dilip Kumar, highlighted the significance of the development. “It has been the dream of every Indian to see trains running to Kashmir. This project will boost tourism, connectivity, and religious access to the region,” he said.
On the day of inauguration, two Vande Bharat trains will commence operations — one originating from Srinagar and the other from Katra.
Residents near the newly inaugurated Chenab Bridge expressed joy over the project’s impact. “This bridge brought employment during construction, and we are hopeful it will continue to benefit us,” said a resident of Bakkal village.
The USBRL project, long considered one of the most ambitious railway undertakings in India, features a 119-kilometre stretch of tunnels and traverses some of the most challenging Himalayan terrain.
The new rail link is expected to enhance connectivity, bolster economic development, and strengthen national integration through faster, more reliable access to the Kashmir region.
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