PM Modi to Inaugurate Kashmir’s First Vande Bharat Train and Chenab Bridge on April 19
The completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail project marks a historic milestone for Jammu and Kashmir, connecting the region with India's rail network after decades of challenges.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat train to Kashmir from Katra on April 19, following the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail project.
- The Vande Bharat train will initially operate from Katra due to ongoing renovation work at the Jammu railway station, with operations from Jammu expected to begin in August.
- The Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge standing 359 meters above the river, will also be inaugurated by PM Modi on the same day.
- Specially designed for extreme conditions, the Vande Bharat train features anti-freezing, seismic safety, and snow-removal capabilities to ensure year-round connectivity in the Himalayan region.
- The new rail link is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar, enhancing regional connectivity and fulfilling a long-awaited demand for direct rail access to Kashmir.
Hindustan Times 
