Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Udhampur on April 19 for the historic inauguration of the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River. Following the inauguration, he will flag off the Vande Bharat Express from Katra, marking a major milestone in India’s ambitious railway expansion in Jammu and Kashmir.
The long-awaited rail connectivity to Kashmir will soon become a reality, addressing a demand that has persisted for decades. Currently, train services operate only between Sangaldan and Baramulla within the valley and from Katra to the rest of the country. With this inauguration, seamless connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar moves a step closer.
Initiated in 1997, the ambitious rail project faced numerous delays due to the challenging terrain and extreme weather conditions. Spanning 119 km, the project features 38 tunnels, including India’s longest transportation tunnel (T-49) at 12.75 km, and 927 bridges covering 13 km in total. The centerpiece of this engineering marvel is the Chenab Bridge, standing 359 meters above the river 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower making it the world’s highest arch railway bridge.
The new Vande Bharat Express on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla route is expected to revolutionize travel in the region, drastically cutting journey times while offering modern, high-speed connectivity. With the Indian Railways pushing boundaries in infrastructure and innovation, this landmark project is set to reshape Kashmir’s transport landscape and boost economic growth.
