In a landmark moment for India’s infrastructure and connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first-ever Vande Bharat Express linking Katra to Srinagar on Friday, June 6. The new route not only connects Jammu and Kashmir by rail for the first time but also integrates the Valley with India’s national railway grid, an engineering feat decades in the making.
The launch follows the completion of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a 271-kilometre stretch featuring 36 tunnels and 943 bridges. Regular commercial services begin from Saturday, offering passengers a fast, reliable alternative to road travel. The Vande Bharat Express will cut the Katra-Srinagar journey down to just 3 hours, compared to the usual 6–7 hours by road.
The fare has been set at ₹715 for chair car and ₹1,350 for executive class, offering modern comfort and affordability in one of India’s most scenic yet challenging terrains.
During the launch, PM Modi also inaugurated two engineering marvels. The Chenab Rail Bridge, now the world’s highest railway arch bridge at 359 metres above the riverbed—35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower—symbolizes India’s innovation in extreme terrain. The second, the Anji Khad Bridge, is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, built across the Anji River near Jammu.
Railway spokesperson Dilip Kumar called the project “historic,” noting its significance in strengthening all-weather connectivity and revitalizing tourism in the region, especially after the recent decline following the April Pahalgam terror attack. Locals hope the new service will bring back visitors to Srinagar’s Dal Lake and revive the region’s economy.
Trial runs, including those with army and security personnel, were conducted to test wind resistance and safety. The Chenab Bridge is engineered to withstand wind speeds of up to 260 km/h, ensuring durability and security for all-weather operations.
With the twin flag-off of trains from Katra and Srinagar, the initiative is being hailed as a symbol of national unity, infrastructure prowess, and a step forward for Kashmir’s long-awaited rail dreams.
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