Trial Run Conducted Ahead of Inauguration
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, April 15: Ahead of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 19, a trial run of a special Vande Bharat train was successfully conducted on Tuesday along the Katra-Sangaldan section of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line (USBRL), which links Kashmir with the rest of the country.
An official from Kashmir Despatch revealed that the trial run marks the final preparations for the inauguration of the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River, located within the Katra-Sangaldan stretch of the prestigious USBRL project.
Currently, the road journey between Katra and Srinagar takes six to seven hours, while flights cover the distance in under an hour. The new Vande Bharat service aims to bridge this gap by offering a swift three-hour rail journey.
“Katra is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kanyakumari via direct trains. The Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar will provide travelers with a faster, more comfortable option. Tourists can now reach Katra and seamlessly continue their journey to Kashmir on this advanced train,” the official stated.
He mentioned that fares for the Vande Bharat Express are expected to range from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 for chair cars and ₹2,000 to ₹2,500 for executive class. The train will halt at Reasi, Sangaldan, Banihal, and Anantnag, operating exclusively during daylight hours as a precautionary measure.
Pertinently, the USBRL project, conceived in 1994-95, saw its initial phase operationalized between Qazigund and Baramulla in the Kashmir Valley by 2009. However, linking the Valley to the broader national rail network remained pending until now. With the recent completion of the Anji Khad and Chenab bridges—engineering marvels that include the world’s highest railway bridge—the USBRL achieves full connectivity.
Trains currently operate between Srinagar and Sangaldan. The newly completed Sangaldan-Katra section will extend services to these regions, significantly enhancing accessibility.
A senior police officer told Kashmir Despatch that they are implementing multi-tier security along the entire route, with intensified checks and passenger frisking at Katra Station, given the region’s sensitivity.
Prime Minister Modi is slated to flag off the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express via Katra, with reports suggesting he may ride the train during the inaugural event.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
