Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vande Bharat Express train service connecting Katra and Srinagar from Katra Railway Station. The Prime Minister also nearly inaugurated another Vande Bharat Express train from Srinagar Nowgam Railway Station to Katra. This significant development marks the successful completion of the 272-kilometer Udhampur-Sinagar Baramulla railway line, an important infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity in the state.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Chenab Railway Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, located in the Reasi district of Jammu. Standing 359 meters above the Chenab River, 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower, the bridge is an impressive 1,315 meters in length. The construction of the bridge cost 148.6 billion rupees, and it is designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 260 kilometers per hour and seismic activity, with an expected lifespan of 120 years.

The Chenab Bridge is a crucial part of the Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) project, which is estimated to cost 4,378 billion rupees. This ambitious project includes 36 tunnels with a total length of 119 kilometers and 943 bridges, establishing an all-weather seamless railway connection between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India. The introduction of the Vande Bharat train will significantly reduce the travel time between Katra and Srinagar to just three hours, cutting the existing travel time by two to three hours.

After the inauguration of the Chenab Bridge, Prime Minister Modi traveled by train to the Anji Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge and also part of the USBRL project. During the visit, the Prime Minister interacted with engineers and retirees involved in this transformative initiative.

Starting from Saturday, June 7, two Vande Bharat trains will operate four daily services between Katra and Srinagar, with ticket prices of 715 rupees and 1,320 rupees respectively. The first train (No. 26401) will depart from Katra at 8:10 am and arrive in Srinagar at 11:08 am, returning at 2:00 pm. The second train (No. 26503) will leave Katra at 2:55 pm and reach Srinagar at 5:53 pm, with a planned return at 8:00 am the next day. It is worth noting that these services will not operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.(This article is from the official website of Jian Dao www.seetao.com. Reproduction without permission is prohibited, otherwise it will be prosecuted. Please indicate Jian Dao website+original link when reprinting.) Jian Dao website strategy column editor/Yang Beihua