Kashmir Set To Get Its First Vande Bharat Express With PM Modi Flagging Off Katra-Srinagar Service On 6 June

In a big rail infrastructure push, Kashmir is set to get its first Vande Bharat express later this week with the launch of the Katra-Srinagar service on the recently completed Udampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).

The first-ever Vande Bharat to Kashmir will be reportedly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (6 June), according to a PMO release.

During his visit, PM Modi will inaugurate two major bridges that will transform rail connectivity and connectivity across the region: the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Bridge, India's first cable-stayed rail bridge.

At around 11 am, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Chenab Rail Bridge, a monumental steel arch bridge standing 359 meters above the Chenab River.

With a total length of 1,315 meters, this bridge is designed to endure seismic and wind conditions.

Once operational, the bridge will significantly reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by 2-3 hours.

Notably, trains running on the bridge, such as the Vande Bharat Express, will offer a travel time of just about 3 hours between Katra and Srinagar.

Following this, PM Modi will visit and inaugurate the Anji Bridge, which is set to become a pioneering structure in India’s rail infrastructure.

Located in a challenging terrain, the Anji Bridge will connect Katra to the rest of the region.

A series of other crucial infrastructure projects will also be inaugurated.

Among them is the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which will enhance all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.

Spanning 272 kilometers with 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, this Rs 43,780 crore project will integrate the region with the rest of India.

"Prime Minister will also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back. They will offer a swift, comfortable, and reliable travel option for residents, tourists, pilgrims among others," the PMO said.

Currently, train services in Kashmir run only between Baramulla and Sangaldan, with long-distance trains ending at Katra.

The new Vande Bharat will fill this gap, running from Katra to Srinagar/Baramulla, enabling commuters to travel directly to Kashmir by train for the first time.

The service will be extended to Jammu once station work is done.

The introduction of the Vande Bharat Express aims to boost tourism and provide a reliable travel option for both locals and visitors in the region.

The train is one of the components of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, a large infrastructure project to improve connectivity in the region. The rail link is 272 km long.

The train will operate on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), covering a distance of over 150 km between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) station and Srinagar station in around 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Further, in a major boost to last mile connectivity especially in border areas, the Prime Minister will also launch various road projects.

He will lay the foundation stone of road widening project from Rafiabad to Kupwara on National Highway-701 and the construction of Shopian bypass road on NH-444 worth over Rs 1,952 crore.

He will also inaugurate two flyover projects at Sangrama Junction on National Highway-1 in Srinagar and at Bemina Junction on National Highway-44.

These projects will ease traffic congestion and enhance traffic flow for the commuters.

Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra worth over Rs 350 crore. It will be the first medical college in Reasi district contributing substantially to the healthcare infrastructure in the region.

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