Jammu, June 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the first-ever Vande Bharat Express connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar on June 6, a historic step in the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) project.
Meanwhile, railway stations at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar have been given a festive makeover ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagging off Vande Bharat Express, the first direct train linking the valley with the rest of India.
During his visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister will dedicate multiple development projects worth more than Rs 46,000 crore at Katra, including the much-anticipated 272-km USBRL project to the nation and flag off the inaugural Vande Bharat train from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar. At the same time, he will also launch virtually the return journey from Kashmir. The rail service is expected to revolutionise travel across the region, reducing travel time between Katra and Srinagar by nearly three hours.
PM Modi will also visit key engineering marvels along the route, including the Chenab Rail Bridge, the highest railway arch bridge in the world at 359 meters above river level, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, constructed in one of the most difficult terrains of the country.
In a post on X, PM Narendra Modi on Thursday said, “Tomorrow, 6th June is indeed a special day for my sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir. Key infrastructure projects worth Rs. 46,000 crores are being inaugurated which will have a very positive impact on people’s lives.”
He added, “In addition to being an extraordinary feat of architecture, the Chenab Rail Bridge will improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. The Anji Bridge stands tall as India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge in a terrain that is challenging. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project ensures all-weather connectivity and the Vande Bharat trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar will boost spiritual tourism and create livelihood opportunities.”
The USBRL project, launched in 1997, has overcome formidable geographical challenges. With the final 17-km Reasi-Katra section completed in December 2024, the entire 272-km stretch is now fully operational. The project includes 36 tunnels stretching over 119 kilometers and 943 bridges, including India’s longest railway tunnel, T-50, which spans more than 12.7 kilometers.
Prime Minister also termed the USBRL project an “extraordinary feat of architecture,” saying it will provide all-weather connectivity to the Kashmir Valley and unlock new avenues for tourism and employment. He noted that the Vande Bharat trains will enhance spiritual tourism and bring economic opportunities to the local
The Vande Bharat Express, specially designed for Kashmir’s challenging climate, is equipped with advanced features such as heating systems in coaches, defrosting windshields, insulated bio-toilets, and meals that reflect authentic Kashmiri vegetarian cuisine. The service will operate with two pairs of trains daily, totalling four trips between Katra and Srinagar.
