Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first train service between Katra and Kashmir on April 19, fulfilling a long-awaited dream of rail connectivity to the Valley.
The train will begin its journey from Katra in Reasi district, travel through the Pir Panjal mountain range, and reach its final stop in Baramulla, North Kashmir, after passing through Srinagar.
PM Modi will flag off the train from Katra, joined by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Currently, trains operate between Sangaldan and Baramulla. The Prime Minister will first land at Udhampur Army airport on the morning of April 19 and then visit the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Reasi district. He will be briefed on its construction, considered an engineering marvel.
Afterward, he will travel to Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi, where he will officially launch the Vande Bharat train to Kashmir. Before returning to Delhi in the afternoon, PM Modi will also address a public gathering in Katra.
Railway officials stated that once the expansion at Jammu Railway Station is completed—likely by July or August—the train will start running from Jammu instead of Katra. However, there will be no direct train from Delhi or other parts of India to Kashmir. Passengers will need to switch trains at Katra, and later, at Jammu.
Several successful test runs, including those of the Vande Bharat Express, have already been conducted on the Katra-Baramulla route, ensuring the railway line is ready for operation.
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project spans 272 km, with 209 km completed in phases since 2009. The final 17 km section between Reasi and Katra was finished recently, allowing for trial runs of trains. The entire project has cost ₹41,000 crore.
A significant milestone was reached on January 4 when an electric train was successfully tested on the Katra-Banihal stretch. Multiple trial runs have also been conducted on key sections, including the iconic Anji Khad and Chenab bridges.
The Vande Bharat Express for this route has been specially designed to handle extreme cold, with anti-freezing features that allow it to function even at -20°C. Built by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, it includes advanced heating systems for passenger comfort.
For safety, the train is equipped with CCTV cameras, emergency communication systems, and shatterproof windows. The driver’s windshield has a special anti-frost system for clear visibility.
This railway link will greatly benefit the people of Kashmir by ensuring year-round connectivity, even when the Jammu-Srinagar highway is blocked due to rain or snow. It will also help boost tourism, agriculture, industries, education, and trade, making transportation of goods to and from the Valley more affordable and efficient.
