Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the new Vande Bharat Express train service connecting Katra to Srinagar from the Katra Railway Station. The Prime Minister also virtually inaugurated another Vande Bharat Express train from Nowgam Railway Station in Srinagar to Katra. This significant development marks the successful completion of the 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, a vital infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity in the UT.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi inaugurated the Chenab Railway Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, located in Jammu’s Reasi District. Towering at 359 metres above the Chenab River—35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower—the bridge spans an impressive 1,315 metres in length. Built at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore, it is designed to withstand winds of up to 260 km per hour and seismic activity, boasting a projected lifespan of 120 years.
The Chenab Bridge is a crucial component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 43,780 crore. This ambitious project includes 36 tunnels covering 119 km and 943 bridges, establishing all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India. The introduction of the Vande Bharat trains will significantly reduce travel time between Katra and Srinagar to just three hours, cutting down existing travel times by two to three hours.
Following the inauguration of the Chenab Bridge, PM Modi traveled by train to the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, which is also part of the USBRL project. During his visit, PM interacted with engineers and retired personnel involved in this transformative initiative.
Starting from Saturday, June 7, two Vande Bharat train sets will make four daily trips between Katra and Srinagar, with ticket prices set at Rs 715 and Rs 1320. The first train (No. 26401) will depart from Katra at 8:10 AM, arriving in Srinagar at 11:08 AM, before returning at 2:00 PM. The second train (No. 26403) will leave Katra at 2:55 PM and reach Srinagar by 5:53 PM, with its return scheduled for the next day at 8:00 AM. Notably, these services will not operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Also Read: Katra-Srinagar Rail Line: 8 Amazing Facts, From India’s Longest Tunnel To The Tallest Bridge
