New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the first Vande Bharat Express to Kashmir on April 19, marking the completion of the 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed on Monday that Modi will arrive in Udhampur on April 19, where he will first visit the world’s highest railway bridge before flagging off the Vande Bharat Express from Katra. The train service will initially operate from Katra, as the Jammu station is currently under renovation.
The long-awaited rail project, which commenced in 1997, faced several delays due to the challenging terrain. It features 38 tunnels, 927 bridges, and the 1,315-meter-long Chenab Bridge, which stands taller than the Eiffel Tower.
Officials say the new rail service will drastically reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar, boosting connectivity and enhancing access to the region.
