You Will Soon Be Able To Ride Vande Bharat Train On World's Highest Railway Bridge
PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Vande Bharat train service on the world's highest railway bridge, the Chenab Rail Bridge, connecting Katra to Baramulla in Jammu & Kashmir, on April 19.
You will soon be able to ride the Vande Bharat train on the highest railway bridge in the world Chenab Rail Bridge, in the Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first train connecting Katra to the Kashmir Valley on April 19, fulfilling a seven-decade-old dream of railway connectivity to the region.
The train will start from Katra in Reasi, traverse the Pir Panjal mountain range, reach Srinagar, and extend further to Baramulla in North Kashmir.
Vande Bharat: The Future of India, Connecting Across Every Mile 🇮🇳
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) January 25, 2025
Vande Bharat’s Historic First as it crosses the World’s Highest Rail Bridge, Chenab, for the First Time.#VandeBharatExpress pic.twitter.com/5qWJVPNftE
Key Dignitaries To Attend Flag-Off
The significant event will also see the presence of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh, Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Currently, the train is operational between Sangaldan and Baramulla.
PM Modi To Visit Chenab Bridge
Ahead of the train's inauguration, PM Modi will arrive at Udhampur Army Airport from New Delhi on the morning of April 19. He will then visit the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab, where he will be provided with technical insights into its construction. Following this, he will flag off the Vande Bharat train from the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra.
PM Modi To Hold Public Rally In Katra Before Return To Delhi
Before heading back to Delhi, the Prime Minister will address a public rally in Katra. According to railway officials, train services between Jammu and the Valley are expected to commence by July-August once the Jammu railway station expansion is complete.
However, as of now, there will be no direct trains from Delhi or other parts of the country to Kashmir. Passengers will need to switch trains at Katra, a system that will later be extended to Jammu.
Progress on USBRL Rail Link Project
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, covering a total of 272 kilometres, has been under development in phases. The 118-km Qazigund-Baramulla section was inaugurated in October 2009, followed by the 18-km Banihal-Qazigund segment in June 2013 and the 25-km Udhampur-Katra section in July 2014.
Last year, the 48.1-km Banihal-Sangaldan segment was also added.
Further advancements include the completion of the 46-km Sangaldan-Reasi section in June last year and the 17 km Reasi-Katra segment recently. With these developments, multiple train trials have already begun, and safety assessments have been successfully completed.
This railway connectivity is expected to significantly boost economic activity, tourism, and mobility in the region, marking a new era for Jammu & Kashmir’s transportation infrastructure.
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