Katra-Banihal Rail Line Nears Completion, Linking Jammu and Kashmir by Train

The new railway section, part of the USBRL project, will drastically reduce travel time and introduce specially-designed Vande Bharat trains for extreme winter conditions.

• The 111 km Katra-Banihal rail section is undergoing final safety inspections and is expected to open later this year, connecting Jammu and Srinagar in just over three hours.
• The project includes engineering marvels like the world's highest rail bridge over the Chenab River and India's first cable-stayed rail bridge on the Anji River.
• Specially-designed Vande Bharat trains for the route feature advanced heating systems to prevent freezing, heated windshields for visibility, and anti-freezing plumbing for sub-zero temperatures.
• Ballast-less tracks, seismic dampers, and escape tunnels were built to ensure safety and stability in the earthquake-prone Himalayan terrain.
• The railway is expected to provide year-round connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir, with snow removal trains ensuring uninterrupted operations during harsh winters.

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