In a historic moment for India’s railway infrastructure, the Vande Bharat Express, the country’s semi-high-speed train, is set to make its maiden journey through the breathtaking yet challenging terrain of Jammu and Kashmir, connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra to Nowgam station in Srinagar. On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off this transformative rail service along the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a monumental project costing over Rs 43,780 crore. This initiative not only marks a significant milestone in India’s railway modernisation but also symbolises the integration of the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the nation, fulfilling a decades-long dream of seamless connectivity.
A New Era of Connectivity for Jammu and Kashmir
The Vande Bharat Express, designed to cover the 150-kilometre distance between Katra and Srinagar in just three hours, promises to revolutionise travel in the region. Compared to the six-to-seven-hour road journey, this semi-high-speed train will drastically reduce travel time, offering unprecedented comfort and reliability to passengers.
Equipped with state-of-the-art features such as automatic doors, anti-spall layers, heated windshields, and sophisticated heating systems, the train is engineered to withstand the harsh Himalayan winters, where temperatures can plummet to minus 20 degrees Celsius. Seismic dampers ensure safety in this seismically active region, while insulated restrooms and climate-specific modifications guarantee year-round functionality.
The train’s design incorporates advanced technology to ensure clear visibility during brutal winter months. Heating elements in the driver’s windshield prevent frosting, and a dedicated snow removal train clears tracks to maintain uninterrupted service. With a capacity to accommodate 530 passengers across seven luxury-class coaches and one executive-class coach, the Vande Bharat Express is poised to set a new standard for public transportation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The USBRL project, spanning 272 kilometres across the rugged Himalayas, is one of the most ambitious railway endeavours in independent India. It connects remote valleys, ridges, and mountain passes, overcoming formidable geographical and climatic challenges. The route includes 943 bridges and 36 major tunnels, totalling 119 kilometres, with 90 per cent of the track laid over these structures.
Notable among them is the T-50 tunnel, India’s longest railway tunnel at 12.7 kilometres, and the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, an 11.215-kilometre marvel in the Pir Panjal Range. These engineering feats have made it possible to link Jammu and Kashmir’s remote regions to the national rail network, fostering mobility, trade, and tourism.
Engineering Marvels: Chenab and Anji Khad Bridges
The USBRL project is punctuated by two extraordinary engineering achievements: the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge. Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate these iconic structures during the Vande Bharat launch, underscoring their significance in this transformative rail corridor.
The Chenab Bridge, towering 359 meters above mean sea level—higher than the Eiffel Tower—spans 1,178 feet over the Chenab River. This architectural marvel, located in the final segment connecting Kashmir to the rest of India, is a testament to Indian engineering prowess. Designed to withstand extreme weather and seismic activity, the bridge ensures safe and reliable train operations. Last month, a trial special train successfully transported soldiers across the Katra-Qazigund section, including the Chenab Bridge, marking a significant milestone in the project’s completion.
The Anji Khad Bridge, situated on the Katra-Banihal route, is another engineering masterpiece. This 725-meter cable-stayed bridge, supported by 96 cables, rises 331 meters above mean sea level. Its innovative design and robust construction make it a critical component of the USBRL, enabling seamless connectivity across the region’s challenging terrain.
A Journey Through the Himalayas: The USBRL Project
The USBRL project, approved in 1994-1995 and declared a National Project in 2002 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government, has been a Herculean undertaking. The Himalayan terrain, characterised by the seismically active Zones IV and V, posed significant challenges. The Shivalik Hills and Pir Panjal mountains, geologically unstable and prone to heavy snowfall, required innovative engineering solutions.
To facilitate construction, over 205 kilometres of motorable roads, including 320 bridges and a tunnel, were built at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore to transport personnel, heavy equipment, and materials to remote construction sites on steep mountain slopes. Railway engineers developed the Himalayan Tunnelling Method (HTM), a revolutionary technique that involved constructing horseshoe-shaped tunnels to enhance structural stability in areas with loose soil. This method, combined with ballast-less tracks and a ruling gradient of 0.5-1 per cent, eliminated the need for bank engines, ensuring efficient train operations in mountainous terrain.
The USBRL’s 943 bridges and 36 tunnels, including the Pir Panjal and T-50 tunnels, were designed to require minimal maintenance. Every significant bridge, tunnel, and station is equipped with CCTV cameras and lighting, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. The broad-gauge railway line, initially planned for diesel engines with the option for future electrification, has now been fully electrified along the 185.66-kilometre Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan segment.
Vande Bharat Operations: Schedule and Features
The Ministry of Railways has authorised four Vande Bharat trains to operate on the Jammu Tawi-Srinagar route, with two services originating from Srinagar and two from Jammu. The tentative schedule is as follows:
Srinagar-Jammu Tawi Vande Bharat Express (26402): Departs Srinagar at 2:00 PM (except Tuesdays) and arrives in Jammu at 6:50 PM.
Srinagar-Jammu Tawi Vande Bharat Express (26404): Departs Srinagar at 8:00 AM (except Wednesdays) and arrives in Jammu at 12:40 PM.
Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express (26403): Departs Jammu at 1:20 PM (except Wednesdays) and arrives in Srinagar at 6:00 PM.
Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express (26401): Departs Jammu at 6:20 AM (except Tuesdays) and arrives in Srinagar at 11:10 AM.
History in the making: For the first time ever, #Kashmir is connected directly, seamlessly to Jammu, New Delhi and the rest of India by train on 6 June 2025. @PMOIndia @narendramodi to flag off the first passenger train (Vande Bharat) at Katra. The world’s highest railway… pic.twitter.com/qismUnm3ph
— Ahmed Ali Fayyaz (@ahmedalifayyaz) June 2, 2025
The fare for the Katra-Srinagar route is yet to be officially announced, but preliminary estimates suggest approximately Rs 1,600 for an AC chair car and Rs 2,500 for an executive chair car. The train will serve four key stations—Srinagar, Banihal, Jammu Tawi, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra—along with 18 additional stations, including Reasi, Bakkal, Dugga, Sawalkote, Sangaldan, Sumber, Khari, Shahabad Hill Halt, Qazigund, Sadura, Anantnag, Bijbehara, Panzgam, Avantipora, Ratnipora, Kakapora, and Pampore, ensuring accessibility for residents across the region.
Due to ongoing development at the Jammu Railway Yard, direct Vande Bharat service between Jammu and Srinagar is not yet available. Passengers must change trains at Katra until the yard’s modernisation is completed by August or September 2025. Additionally, a separate goods train service will operate to transport fresh vegetables, apples, dry fruits, pashmina shawls, and handicrafts, reducing shipping costs and boosting the region’s economy.
Overcoming Challenges: Delays and Security Concerns
The Vande Bharat Express was initially scheduled to launch on April 19, 2025, but unfavourable weather conditions necessitated a postponement. The inauguration was further delayed due to a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which disrupted plans for Prime Minister Modi to flag off the train in Srinagar. In response to security concerns, the event has been relocated to Katra in the Jammu region, with robust security measures in place to ensure a smooth launch.
The successful trial run of the Vande Bharat train on January 23, 2025, between Katra and Srinagar, demonstrated the railway’s readiness for commercial operations. The trial, which included the Chenab Bridge, confirmed the infrastructure’s reliability and safety, paving the way for the official launch.
Economic and Social Impact
The Vande Bharat Express and the USBRL project are set to transform Jammu and Kashmir’s economic and social landscape. The reduced travel time will facilitate same-day return trips between Jammu and Srinagar, boosting tourism, trade, and connectivity. The train’s ability to transport local products like apples, dry fruits, and handicrafts to other parts of India at lower costs will empower local producers and artisans. Similarly, the cost of shipping essential goods to the valley is expected to decrease significantly, improving access to necessities.
The project also includes plans for four cargo terminals between Banihal and Baramulla, with land identified for three of them. These terminals will further enhance the region’s economic integration with the national market, supporting industries such as horticulture, agriculture, and tourism.
A Vision Realised: The Modi Government’s Railway Push
The USBRL project, first envisioned in 1983 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, gained momentum when it was declared a National Project in 2002. Over the past 11 years, the Modi government has prioritised railway modernisation in Jammu and Kashmir, transforming the region’s infrastructure. Key segments of the USBRL, including Banihal-Qazigund (2013), Udhampur-Katra (2014), Banihal-Baramulla (2009), and Banihal-Sangaldan (2020), have been commissioned, with the final Katra-Sangaldan section completed in 2024.
The establishment of the Jammu Railway Division in January 2025, under Northern Railway, has further streamlined operations in the region. Serving Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Punjab, this division oversees significant portions of the USBRL, ensuring efficient management and expansion.
The Modi government’s broader railway vision has connected India’s remotest regions, from the Northeast to Kashmir, fostering inclusive development. Electrification, station modernisation, and the introduction of semi-high-speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express have made rail travel faster, cleaner, and more accessible. The USBRL project, in particular, has turned a seven-decade-old dream of connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari into reality, creating a continuous railway line that symbolises national unity.
National Integration
Since coming to power, the BJP has placed Jammu and Kashmir at the heart of its national agenda—not just in terms of development, but as a symbol of unity and sovereignty. For decades, the Valley was seen as a volatile, disconnected region, plagued by militancy and separatist sentiment, with Pakistani flags waving in the streets and many areas considered a no-go zone for ordinary Indians.
The BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, has worked tirelessly to change that narrative. The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 was a watershed moment, aimed at fully integrating Kashmir with the Indian Union both constitutionally and emotionally. But the efforts didn’t stop there—massive infrastructure projects, including the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), have followed, symbolising not just physical connectivity but the ideological realisation of “Akhand Bharat.”
Trains now run where terror once reigned. The launch of the Vande Bharat Express through this terrain is more than a transport milestone—it is the reclaiming of national space, a message that Kashmir is, and will always be, an integral part of India. From highways and tunnels to schools, hospitals, and industries, the Modi government has prioritised comprehensive development in the region, ensuring that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are no longer left behind but are active participants in India’s growth story.
The launch of the Vande Bharat Express on the USBRL marks a historic chapter in India’s railway journey. By connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the nation, this semi-high-speed train not only enhances mobility but also drives economic growth and social integration. The Chenab and Anji Khad bridges, along with the Pir Panjal and T-50 tunnels, stand as testaments to India’s engineering ingenuity and determination to overcome the Himalayas’ formidable challenges.
As Prime Minister Modi flags off this transformative service on June 6, 2025, the people of Jammu and Kashmir will witness the dawn of a new era—one defined by connectivity, opportunity, and progress. The Vande Bharat Express is more than a train; it is a symbol of India’s unwavering commitment to uniting its frontiers and building a brighter future for all.
