Katra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, providing Jammu and Kashmir with a vital all-weather rail link by integrating the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla line into India’s broader railway network.
The high-speed train service, which begins commercial operations from Saturday, will operate two sets of trains daily—except on Wednesdays—between Katra and Srinagar, significantly enhancing connectivity in the region.
Constructed through some of the most treacherous Himalayan terrain, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line is widely regarded as a feat of engineering. Officials believe the new link will act as a catalyst for economic development, particularly in boosting tourism and trade across Jammu and Kashmir.
Tailored to meet the harsh climatic challenges of the region, the Vande Bharat Express trains come equipped with cutting-edge safety and comfort features. To ensure smooth functioning during extreme winters, the coaches include heating systems that prevent the freezing of water and bio-toilet tanks, along with self-regulating heating cables and defrosting elements on the front glass panels of the driver’s cabin. The inclusion of anti-spall layers further adds to the safety of the operators during adverse weather conditions.
Railway officials highlighted that the air brake systems on the trains are fitted with air dryers, enabling seamless operations even in sub-zero temperatures.
Describing it as the most technically demanding rail project undertaken since independence, a senior railway official pointed out that the trains will run entirely on electric traction over the 272-km stretch. This transition from diesel is not only environmentally sustainable, especially in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, but also economically prudent—cutting costs and reducing carbon emissions.
The route includes an impressive network of 38 tunnels covering 119 km in total. Notable among them are the 12.75 km Sumber-Khari and the 11.2 km Pir Panjal tunnels—India’s longest. The world’s highest railway bridge, the iconic Chenab bridge, and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Bridge, also form part of this route.
According to the schedule, the first train will depart from Srinagar at 8:00 AM, reaching Katra by 10:58 AM. Its return journey will begin at 2:55 PM, concluding in Srinagar at 5:53 PM. The second pair will leave Katra at 8:10 AM, arrive in Srinagar by 11:08 AM, and return at 2:00 PM to reach Katra by 4:58 PM.
The inaugural ceremony at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station was attended by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, among other dignitaries.
This launch marks a transformative chapter in rail connectivity for Kashmir, symbolizing not just infrastructural advancement but also deeper national integration.
