The highly anticipated Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is nearing completion, with the Vande Bharat Express set to reduce travel time between Katra and Srinagar to just three hours. According to Northern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, the new railway line will offer a faster and more comfortable alternative to the current six-to-seven-hour road journey.
At present, train services are operational between Srinagar and Sangaldan in the Kashmir Valley. However, once the Sangaldan-Katra railway link is completed, the Vande Bharat Express will run seamlessly along this route. The railway project includes engineering marvels such as the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge. These architectural feats will not only enhance travel efficiency but also make the journey more scenic and enjoyable.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Vande Bharat Express on April 19 during his visit to Udhampur, marking a major milestone in India’s railway expansion. Initially, the train will operate from Katra to Srinagar due to ongoing construction at Jammu railway station. Union Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized that this project will strengthen connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of India, while Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted growing international interest in India’s Make in India Vande Bharat trains. With its advanced features and climate-resistant design, the Vande Bharat Express promises to transform rail travel in Jammu and Kashmir, making journeys faster, safer, and more efficient.
