Historic Milestone: PM Modi to Flag Off Vande Bharat Train on World’s Highest Chenab Bridge in J&K on June 6
Ramban, Jammu & Kashmir, June 5, 2025 – In a landmark achievement for Indian Railways, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on June 6, 2025, marking the completion of the Katra-Sangaldan Rail Link, a critical stretch of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. The train will traverse the iconic Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, standing at an awe-inspiring 359 meters above the riverbed—taller than the Eiffel Tower.
This historic event, scheduled at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) station, will see the Prime Minister flag off two specially designed Vande Bharat trains—one from Katra to Baramulla and another from Baramulla to Katra. These semi-high-speed trains, equipped with advanced features like heating systems, anti-spall layers, and automatic doors to withstand sub-zero temperatures as low as -20°C, will reduce the travel time between Katra and Srinagar to just three hours, compared to the current 6-7 hours by road.
The Chenab Bridge, a 1,315-meter-long engineering marvel in Reasi district, is designed to endure seismic activity and winds up to 266 kmph. It forms the centerpiece of the USBRL project, which includes 943 bridges and 36 tunnels, including India’s longest railway tunnel (T-50) stretching 12.7 km. The bridge’s completion, along with the Katra-Sangaldan section, fulfills a century-old vision of connecting the Kashmir Valley to India’s rail network, first envisioned by Dogra ruler Maharaja Pratap Singh.
The USBRL project, costing over ₹43,000 crore, has been rolled out in phases: Qazigund-Baramulla (2009), Banihal-Qazigund (2013), Udhampur-Katra (2014), and Banihal-Sangaldan (2023). The final 63-km Katra-Sangaldan stretch, completed in January 2025 after overcoming challenging terrain, marks the project’s full operational readiness. The route also features the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, standing 331 meters high and supported by 96 cables.
“This is a historic day not just for Jammu and Kashmir, but for the entire nation,” said a Ministry of Railways official. “The Chenab Bridge and Vande Bharat trains symbolize India’s engineering prowess and commitment to connectivity.” Local resident Abdul Azeez Chandel echoed the sentiment, stating, “This bridge and train will transform travel and tourism for our region.”
Alongside the rail inauguration, PM Modi will launch development projects worth over ₹46,000 crore in Katra, including the foundation stone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, the first medical college in Reasi district, valued at over ₹350 crore. The event, initially planned for April 19 but postponed due to adverse weather and security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack, is expected to boost tourism and economic opportunities in the region.
J&K BJP President Sat Sharma called the launch “a dream come true,” emphasizing its significance for pilgrims and locals alike, especially ahead of the Amarnath Yatra. The Vande Bharat service is poised to enhance accessibility to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and Kashmir’s scenic beauty, marking a new era of connectivity and progress for Jammu and Kashmir.
