Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Vande Bharat Express connecting New Delhi to Kashmir via the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) in January. Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh, announced this on Tuesday. Starting January 2025, this train will connect the national capital directly to Kashmir and pass through the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Rail Bridge.
USBRL Project Progress
The Indian Railways has completed 255 kilometers of the 272-kilometer-long USBRL project. Only a small 17-kilometer section between Katra and Reasi remains, which is expected to be completed by December 2024. According to Ravneet Singh, the inauguration is scheduled for January, following the Prime Minister’s program. Railway officials anticipate completing the project by December, pending thorough inspections.
Detailed Inspections Underway
Railway authorities are meticulously inspecting every aspect of the project. Teams are conducting frequent visits to ensure everything meets safety and operational standards. This project has involved significant effort and is considered a major undertaking. The inauguration date will be finalized after all verifications are complete.
Plans for Vande Bharat Service to Kashmir
Once rail connectivity between Katra and Srinagar is operational, a Vande Bharat Express will be introduced on this route. The train, manufactured by Chennai’s Rail Coach Factory, has already been deployed in various parts of the country. A short-coach version of Vande Bharat is planned for this route to ensure efficiency.
Proposed Train Services
Upon completion of the project, 32 train services (up and down) will operate on the route. These include:
- Train No. 12425/26: New Delhi to Jammu Tawi
- Train No. 12445/46: New Delhi to Mata Vaishno Devi Katra
- Train No. 16031/32: Chennai Central to Mata Vaishno Devi Katra
- Train No. 11449/50: Jabalpur to Mata Vaishno Devi Katra
- Train No. 16787/88: Tirunelveli to Mata Vaishno Devi Katra
- Train No. 16317/18: Kanyakumari to Mata Vaishno Devi Katra
- Train No. 19803/04: Kota to Mata Vaishno Devi Katra
- Train No. 12331/32: Howrah to Jammu Tawi
And several others.
The World’s Highest Chenab Bridge
The project features the world’s tallest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge, which includes:
- Total length: 1,375 meters
- Arch span: 467 meters
- Height: 359 meters (35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower)
This bridge is regarded as the tallest arch bridge globally.
Additionally, the project includes 38 tunnels, the longest being 12.75 kilometers, and 927 bridges, making it a marvel of engineering and a symbol of India’s infrastructural advancement.
The inauguration of the Vande Bharat Express to Kashmir will mark a milestone in India’s connectivity, bridging the gap between the capital and the picturesque valleys of Kashmir.
