- विज्ञापन -
Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the inaugural train from Katra to the Kashmir Valley, fulfilling a decades-old dream of rail connectivity to the region. The train will depart from Katra in Reasi district, cross the Pir Panjal mountain range, and reach Srinagar before continuing to its final destination in Baramulla, North Kashmir.
PM Modi, accompanied by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, will launch the service. The Prime Minister will first visit the Udhampur Army airport, fly to the Chenab River’s railway bridge in Reasi, a renowned engineering feat, and then proceed to Katra. From there, he will flag off the Vande Bharat train to the Valley.
The train will enhance connectivity to the Valley, with trials of the Vande Bharat Express having been successful. Currently, trains operate from Sangaldan to Baramulla. By July-August this year, following the completion of the Jammu Railway Station’s expansion, the service will extend from Jammu.
At present, no direct trains to Kashmir will operate from Delhi or other locations, requiring passengers to switch trains at Katra. Eventually, direct trains from Jammu will be available. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, costing Rs 41,000 crore, has been completed in phases, with the final 17 km stretch between Reasi and Katra finished in recent months.
The new Vande Bharat Express, designed to function in extreme cold, features advanced anti-freezing technology, CCTV cameras, emergency communication units, and shatterproof windows for safety. This development promises to boost tourism, agriculture, industries, and education in Kashmir, offering a reliable all-weather transport solution and reducing transport costs for goods.
