The Chenab Rail Bridge and the Vande Bharat Express promise more than shorter travel times—they offer renewed economic hope for Jammu and Kashmir. Tourism, trade, and daily life will all benefit from this bold stride into the future.
By Pravin Kumar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the world’s highest railway arch bridge, constructed over the mighty Chenab river in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, on June 6.
The historic event, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, will establish a direct rail connection between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, fulfilling a decades-long aspiration.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who, along with senior officials of the Railways Ministry, were camping in Katra, hailed the occasion, stating, “Tomorrow will be a historic day for Jammu and Kashmir and the nation.”
Ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister also responded to a post of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, saying, “Tomorrow, 6th June is indeed a special day for my sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir. Key infrastructure projects worth Rs. 46,000 crores are being inaugurated which will have a very positive impact on people’s lives”.
In addition to being an extraordinary feat of architecture, the Chenab Rail Bridge will improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. The Anji Bridge stands tall as India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge in a terrain that is challenging.
Tomorrow, 6th June is indeed a special day for my sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir. Key infrastructure projects worth Rs. 46,000 crores are being inaugurated which will have a very positive impact on people’s lives.
In addition to being an extraordinary feat of… https://t.co/cPJ15HqOTb
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 5, 2025
Meanwhile, the Vande Bharat train service between Katra and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir will start commercial operations from June 7, the Northern Railway said on Thursday.
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According to Northern Railway, two pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains, Train Nos. 26404/26403 and 26401/26402 were introduced on the Srinagar-Katra-Srinagar route, with an intermediate halt at Banihal. The trains will make four trips during the day between Katra and Srinagar.
The first train will commence from Katra at 8:10 am and reach Srinagar at 11:08 am. The same train will return in the afternoon from Srinagar at 2 pm and reach Katra at 4:58 pm. This train service will not be available on Tuesday.
Another train will start from Katra at 2:55 pm and reach Srinagar at 5:53 pm. The same train will return from Srinagar the next day at 8 am. This service will not operate on Wednesday.
The Chenab Bridge, standing at an awe-inspiring 359 meters above the Chenab River—taller than the Eiffel Tower—is a marvel of engineering.
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Spanning 1,315 meters, it is designed to withstand extreme seismic activity and wind speeds exceeding 250 km/h, showcasing India’s technological prowess. The bridge, constructed with approximately 30,000 metric tons of steel, forms a critical segment of the 272-kilometer USBRL project, which includes 36 tunnels and 927 bridges, built at an estimated cost of ₹43,780 crore.
Alongside the bridge’s inauguration, PM Modi will flag off the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, reducing travel time between Katra and Srinagar to approximately three hours, a significant improvement over existing routes.
The Prime Minister will also launch development projects worth over ₹46,000 crore in Katra, including road infrastructure like the widening of NH-701 from Rafiabad to Kupwara, flyovers in Srinagar, and the foundation stone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, the first medical college in Reasi district.
On Thursday, Union Minister of State for the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the Chenab Bridge to review final preparations for the ceremony. Abdullah described the event as “a landmark day for J&K,” emphasizing that the rail link will connect the Valley to the rest of India, boosting tourism, trade, and connectivity.
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Unprecedented security arrangements have been put in place for the Prime Minister’s visit, his first to Jammu and Kashmir since the recent Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.
A multi-layered security detail, comprising the Special Protection Group (SPG), Indian Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and Jammu and Kashmir Police, has been deployed across Jammu city and Reasi district.
The rail track from Katra to Baramulla is under heightened surveillance, with security forces equipped with drones, sniffer dogs, night vision devices, and electronic equipment monitoring all vantage points along the mountainous route.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who has overseen the USBRL project’s progress, highlighted its significance, noting that the direct train service from Jammu to Srinagar is expected to commence in September, following the completion of ongoing work at Jammu railway station. The bridge and rail link are poised to transform connectivity, fostering economic growth and regional integration.
The inauguration marks a proud moment for India, with the Chenab Bridge standing as a symbol of engineering excellence and national resolve. As Dr. Jitendra Singh stated on X, “The mighty Chenab Bridge stands tall in Jammu and Kashmir… a proud symbol of New India’s strength and vision.”
