Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to flag off the first Vande Bharat Express to Kashmir from Katra on April 19, marking a historic milestone in Indian Railways’ connectivity expansion to the region.
Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, BJP leaders and workers inspected the Katra Railway Station to oversee preparations. Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Sat Sharma extended his gratitude to PM Modi for ensuring timely completion of the project.
“We are thankful to PM Modi for completing this important project within the committed timeframe. This will significantly improve the journey for pilgrims coming for Mata Vaishno Devi darshan while also opening greater access to the mesmerising beauty of Kashmir,” said Sharma.
He added, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Katra on 19 April. He will flag off the train. Crores of people come to Katra to visit Mata Vaishno Devi. Now they will also go to Srinagar by this train. Jammu and Kashmir will touch the heights of development. People will get to know the culture of Jammu and Kashmir…”
Earlier today, trial runs of the Vande Bharat train were conducted on the Katra–Sangaldan section, part of the larger 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
This section includes the iconic Chenab Railway Bridge—the highest railway arch bridge in the world—and enables direct rail connectivity between New Delhi and the Kashmir Valley via Katra.
A local from Bakkal village near the bridge shared the excitement in the community:
“This bridge is in our vicinity. On April 19, PM Modi will inaugurate this bridge. We are so happy; everyone in the village is so happy. The construction of this bridge generated a lot of employment opportunities, and even after the inauguration, we will get employment opportunities.”
Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity (ED/IP) at the Railway Board, also highlighted the USBRL project’s impact during a statement on April 10.
“It has been the dream of every Indian to have a train running to Kashmir. For this, we have made long preparations, and now this USBRL section is ready. There is a 119-kilometre tunnel in this 272-kilometre section. This entire area is very important from the religious, tourism and connectivity point of view of Kashmir,” Kumar said.
He further confirmed that two Vande Bharat Express trains will commence service on the launch day—one from Srinagar and another from Katra to Srinagar.
“On the date of commencement of the project, we have planned to run two Vande Bharat Express trains. One Vande Bharat Express train will run from Srinagar, and the other will run from Katra to Srinagar,” he added.
The first Vande Bharat trial run between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) and Srinagar was conducted on January 23. The train route includes India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge—Anji Khad Bridge—as well as the record-setting Chenab Bridge.
Specially designed for the cold climatic conditions of Kashmir, the Vande Bharat Express promises to enhance travel comfort while boosting tourism and religious travel in the region.