The wait is finally over! Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to flag off the first-ever Vande Bharat Express connecting Katra to Srinagar on April 19, a momentous occasion that will mark a new era of connectivity for Jammu and Kashmir. This long-anticipated railway link will finally bridge the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, fulfilling a 70-year-old dream. The launch of this train is expected to boost tourism, agriculture, industry, and education in the region, while also ensuring seamless, year-round connectivity for the people of Kashmir. Specially built with advanced anti-freezing technology, the train is designed to withstand extreme winter conditions and operate smoothly in sub-zero temperatures.

Grand Inauguration and Special Guests

According to sources from news agency IANS, the grand inauguration ceremony will be attended by several prominent leaders, including Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

The train will start its journey from Katra, cross the Pir Panjal Mountain Range, and reach Baramulla in north Kashmir, significantly reducing travel time and making travel more convenient for passengers. Until now, the train was only running between Sangaldan and Baramulla, but with this latest expansion, Kashmir will now be fully connected to the Indian railway network.

PM Modi’s Kashmir Visit: Key Highlights

As per reports, PM Modi will land at the Udhampur Army airbase on April 19 and head straight to the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, where he will be briefed on its engineering marvel.

Following this, he will visit Katra to officially launch the Vande Bharat Express and later address a public rally to celebrate this historic achievement before returning to Delhi.

State-of-the-Art Train Designed for Harsh WintersBuilt by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is specifically designed to withstand extreme weather, functioning effortlessly in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius.

The train is equipped with:

  • An advanced heating system to keep passengers warm and comfortable
  • CCTV cameras and emergency talk-back units for added safety
  • Shatterproof windows and anti-frost windshields to ensure clear visibility

A Rs 41,000 Crore Project Now a Reality

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is a 272 km-long project, of which 209 km has already been made operational. This mega-project, which cost ₹41,000 crore, has been completed in multiple phases:

  • 118 km Qazigund-Baramulla (Operational since October 2009)
  • 18 km Banihal-Qazigund (Operational since June 2013)
  • 25 km Udhampur-Katra (Operational since July 2014)
  • 48.1 km Banihal-Sangaldan (Operational since February 2023)

The 46 km Sangaldan-Reasi section was completed in June 2023, leaving only a 17 km gap between Reasi and Katra, which has now been successfully completed. With this final stretch in place, the Vande Bharat Express was successfully tested, paving the way for its much-anticipated launch.