Srinagar, June 06: Thousands of businessmen, traders and fruit dealers in Srinagar have hailed the launch of the first Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar as a transforma-tive step for trade and commerce in the region. Flagged off on Friday by Prime Minister Naren-dra Modi, the high-speed rail link fulfils a long-pending demand for direct and reliable connec-tivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India.
They were watching eagerly, hopeful that this new railway link will remove longstanding logisti-cal bottlenecks that have hurt business for decades.
“This is a gift for us on Eid-ul-Adha,” said a local fruit trader. “For years, we dreamt of a day when a high-speed train would connect us directly to the rest of India. Now that it has finally happened, it will change the way we do business.”
The train service is expected to significantly reduce travel time and offer uninterrupted transport between key regions, something the local economy has long needed.
A highlight of this ambitious railway project is the Chenab Rail Bridge, which is now the tallest railway bridge in the world, standing at a staggering 359 meters above the river. Built to endure wind speeds up to 260 kmph and with a projected lifespan of 120 years, the bridge is a marvel of modern Indian engineering and a symbol of resilience and progress.
Locals and industry experts alike believe the new rail link will not only revolutionize lo-gistics and trade in Kashmir but also attract more tourists and investments.
“This is more than just a train — it’s a lifeline, a symbol of hope, and a step towards greater development,” said a Srinagar businessman, thanking the government for what he called a transformative project.
