SRINAGAR: The much-anticipated inauguration of the Vande Bharat Express train service from Katra to Srinagar, originally scheduled for February 17, 2025, has been postponed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to flag off the service.
According to official sources, no formal notification confirming the inauguration date had been issued, despite earlier unconfirmed reports circulating about the event.
The Vande Bharat Express is set to operate along the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), completing its 150-kilometer journey in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Key stops along the route include Reasi and Banihal.
The train service will feature remarkable engineering feats, such as the Anji Khad Bridge, with its 331-meter-high pylon, and the Chenab Bridge, the world’s tallest railway bridge at 359 meters—higher than the Eiffel Tower. These structures reflect India’s growing advancements in infrastructure and technology.
Designed to withstand temperatures as low as -20°C, the Vande Bharat Express is expected to provide seamless service even in harsh winter conditions.
While the new inauguration date is yet to be announced, officials remain optimistic about the train’s role in enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in the region. [JKNS]
