India’s First Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express Inaugurated, Marks Completion of Key Kashmir Rail Link

Travel from Katra to Kashmir in 3 hours by the recently inaugurated Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express. 

In a landmark moment for India's railway infrastructure, the first Vande Bharat Express connecting Katra to Srinagar was inaugurated, coinciding with the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL).

 Spanning 272 km, this all-weather railway line provides seamless connectivity to the Kashmir Valley, marking a transformative milestone in regional integration and infrastructure development.

The high-speed semi-bullet Vande Bharat trains, numbered 26401/02 and 26403/04, will operate six days a week, cutting the travel time between Katra and Srinagar to under three hours. Equipped with winter-proof technology, these trains are engineered to withstand harsh climatic conditions, ensuring uninterrupted service even during the Valley’s severe winters.

One of the crown jewels of the USBRL project is the iconic Chenab Bridge — the world’s highest railway arch bridge. Towering 359 meters above the Chenab River and stretching 1,315 meters in length, the bridge surpasses the height of the Eiffel Tower and is designed to last 120 years, built to endure wind speeds of up to 260 km/h.

Another engineering marvel along the route is the Anji Khad Bridge — India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. Overall, the USBRL project comprises 943 bridges and 36 tunnels, dramatically improving access to the Kashmir region.

The regular operations of the new Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express are expected to significantly boost tourism and stimulate economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir. By connecting the Valley with the national rail grid, the project stands as a symbol of progress, promising enhanced mobility, development, and national integration.