New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first Vande Bharat train connecting Jammu and Kashmir on 19 April.
The train will run between Katra and Baramulla, marking a key milestone in the long-delayed Udhampur- Srinagar- Baramulla rail link project.
Rail Connectivity Expands in Kashmir
The 272-km rail project, which began in 1997, faced significant delays due to complex geological and weather conditions.
Officials confirmed that the project was completed in February, and trial runs on the Katra-Baramulla route were successful. The Commissioner of Railway Safety approved the train service in January.
The new rail link is expected to improve connectivity and reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar. However, due to ongoing renovation work at Jammu railway station, the Vande Bharat Express will initially start from Katra.
High-Altitude Railway Infrastructure
As part of his visit, Modi will also inaugurate the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest arch railway bridge. The bridge, standing 359 meters above the riverbed, is part of the larger project that includes 927 bridges and 38 tunnels, the longest being the 12.75 km-long Tunnel T-49.
Currently, railway services in Kashmir operate between Sangaldan and Baramulla, while trains from Katra connect to other parts of India. The new train service aims to bridge this gap by providing a direct link to Kashmir.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed the inauguration plans, stating that the completion of this project fulfills a long-standing demand for better rail connectivity in the region.
