Image Source: Agencies

June 6, 2025: The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express train, which is anticipated to improve regional connectivity by progressively connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the nation, was flagged off from Katra railway station on Friday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also officially opened the Chenab Bridge, the highest railway arch bridge in the world.
The Prime Minister visited the Chenab and Anji bridges and spoke with the personnel involved in the enormous project before he flagged off the train.
The semi-high-speed train's opening is a significant step in building state-of-the-art rail infrastructure to link the Kashmir Valley with one of India's holiest pilgrimage destinations—Katra, the location of the venerated Vaishno Devi shrine.
Train Nos. 26404/26403 and 26401/26402, two pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains, will run the Srinagar–Katra–Srinagar route, with Banihal serving as a major stop.
With shorter journey times and contemporary onboard amenities, these trains are designed to provide faster, more comfortable, and more efficient service to both local commuters and tourists.
The Chenab Bridge, an architectural wonder that is higher than the Eiffel Tower at 359 meters over the Chenab River, is the most important component of the entire project.
The steel arch bridge, which spans 1,315 meters and is designed to withstand strong winds and seismic activity, greatly improves rail connectivity between Srinagar and Jammu.
Travel time between Katra and Srinagar would be cut by two to three hours to just roughly three hours with the new Vande Bharat trains running on this route.

India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Bridge, is also scheduled for inauguration. It was built to withstand the harsh circumstances of the region's untamed landscape.
At a cost of Rs 43,780 crore, the 272-km train line from Udhampur to Srinagar has 943 bridges and 36 tunnels. The project promises to revolutionize travel and promote economic integration by establishing year-round train connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India.
Additionally, starting on June 7, two Vande Bharat Express trains will operate between Srinagar and Katra, offering pilgrims, visitors, and locals quick and comfortable travel.

Kashmir's Vande Bharat Express is a cold-weather powerhouse and an engineering wonder.

The flagship Vande Bharat Express in India has already revolutionized rail travel throughout the nation, but the new route that will operate in Kashmir is truly unique.
Unlike any other Vande Bharat train in the country, this winter-hardened version was created especially for the tough environment and distinctive topography of the Valley. It is brimming with innovative technologies.
The Kashmir version stands out for what is underneath, even though the sleek look, fast speed, and contemporary facilities are all the same.
This train has been equipped with a variety of cold climate equipment by engineers at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai to guarantee continuous operation throughout weeks of below-freezing temperatures.
The addition of silicon heating pads beneath water tanks and bio-toilets is one of the most important improvements since it keeps them from freezing and guarantees that they continue to work even in extremely cold temperatures.
A senior Railway official told The Tribune, "These pads come with overheat protection sensors, adding an extra layer of safety."
In order to prevent ice jams while the train is at rest, the plumbing system, which is frequently susceptible in cold weather, now has heated pipelines that regulate themselves and an auto-drain mechanism.
Additionally, passenger comfort has not been disregarded.
To keep the train comfortable, HVAC ducts have been extended to the restrooms and Indian-style toilets have been heated.
Rail travel in India has already been revolutionized by the flagship Vande Bharat Express, but the version that will presently operate.




Rs 660 is the starting fee for Vande Bharat's first voyage from Katra to Srinagar from tomorrow.

The Railways will start commercial operations of Vande Bharat trains between Srinagar and Katra on June 7, revolutionizing travel in Jammu and Kashmir and marking a significant advancement in regional connectivity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally dedicate the world's tallest railway arch bridge across the Chenab to the country on Friday, coinciding with the start of the high-speed rail link, which is scheduled to operate six days a week. Around noon, Modi will then signal the departure of the Vande Bharat trains.
Reservations for the Vande Bharat trains on the Katra-Srinagar route are now being accepted by the Railways. An AC Chair Car (CC) tariff of Rs 660 was listed on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website on Thursday night. A key component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a 272-km engineering marvel consisting of 943 bridges and 36 tunnels constructed at a cost of Rs 43,780 crore, is the Chenab bridge.
The launch represents a significant step in building state-of-the-art train infrastructure to link the Kashmir valley to Katra, the location of the venerated Vaishno Devi shrine, one of India's holiest pilgrimage destinations.
Train Nos. 26404/26403 and 26401/26402, two pairs of Vande Bharat trains, will operate on the Srinagar-Katra-Srinagar route, with Banihal serving as a crucial stop.
When platforms 5 and 6 at the Jammu station are finished, the service would be extended to Jammu by September, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The top ten untold facts about the highest railway bridge in the world, located on the Chenab River in J&K

The bridge is 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower and rises 359 meters (1,178 ft) over the Chenab River.
Built for Rs 43,780 crore, the project spans 272 kilometers over the untamed Himalayas.
The project connects valleys, ridges, and mountain passes with 943 bridges and 36 tunnels totaling 119 kilometers.
The first cable-stayed rail bridge in India was constructed across the Anji River's deep gorge and was a trailblazing design in the country's rail history.
Across the rough terrain, a vast network of bridges—943 in total—connects valleys, hills, and mountain passes.
Extreme engineering conditions include harsh weather, difficult geology, and extremely high seismic activity.
High-altitude construction: Helicopters and cable-crane systems are necessary for the delivery of materials for many bridges that are constructed in isolated, snow-covered Himalayan regions.
Wonders of steel and concrete: To withstand environmental stresses, bridges are made of premium concrete and specialized corrosion-resistant steel.
The world's longest railway arch bridge span: The Chenab Bridge has the longest steel arch for a railway bridge in the world, measuring 467 meters.
Bridge safety technology: outfitted with cutting-edge monitoring tools (seismic detectors, wind sensors) to guarantee both passenger safety and structural integrity.
Strategic and civilian significance: Bridges replace the often closed Srinagar-Jammu route and provide year-round access.
Technical prowess: Among the most intricate infrastructural achievements, these bridges are a testament to India's technical prowess.