PM Modi Likely To Inaugurate Kashmir Rail Link In June, Flag Off Vande Bharat From Katra
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The Prime Minister will flag off the Vande Bharat train services from Katra town in the Jammu division to Baramulla in the Kashmir Valley in the coming days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the first-ever rail link connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country by the end of the first week of June. The railway authorities are making the final preparations for this significant event.
The Prime Minister will flag off the Vande Bharat train services from Katra town in the Jammu division to Baramulla in the Kashmir Valley in the coming days. Initially scheduled for April 19, the inauguration was postponed due to unfavourable weather conditions.
The event was further delayed following a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the death of 26 people. In response, Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on the night of May 6 and 7, targeting terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Tensions escalated between India and Pakistan, with Pakistan attempting drone attacks in India, which were successfully thwarted by Indian forces. On May 10, Indian forces carried out strikes on 11 airbases in Pakistan, causing significant damage. Following these events, the Pakistan Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) reached out to his Indian counterpart, leading to a ceasefire agreement between the two countries.
Katra-Srinagar Rail Link
A Railways ministry official had told News18 in April that the journey between Katra and Srinagar takes about six to seven hours by road, while a flight takes less than one hour. 'Katra is well connected with almost all parts of the country. There are direct trains from various cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kanyakumari. The new Vande Bharat between Katra and Srinagar will offer more comfortable journeys. Those planning to go to Kashmir can first reach Katra and then take the new Vande Bharat for the journey ahead," the official said.
The completion of the Udhampur Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL) has enabled train movement between Jammu and Kashmir. Currently, trains operate between Srinagar and Sangaldan railway stations. With the completion of the section between Sangaldan and Katra, trains will now operate between these areas as well. The Prime Minister will inaugurate this section on Saturday. Trials have been conducted on this section for the past several weeks.
The USBRL project was planned and announced in 1994-95. While the part in the Kashmir Valley—Qazigund to Baramulla—became operational by 2009, connectivity to the railway network beyond the Valley remained unfulfilled. With the completion of the Anji Khand Bridge and the Chenab Bridge, the Valley is now connected to the rest of the country by rail.
Additional security measures are being planned at the Katra station compared to other stations. Talks are ongoing for proper security checks and thorough frisking of passengers for trains going to Kashmir, considering the area's sensitivity.
Features Of The Specially Designed Vande Bharat
In January, News18 had reported on the unique features of the train, which include heating elements in windshields, silicon heating pads in water and bio-toilet tanks, heated plumbing pipelines, and heaters in Indian toilets. These upgrades will allow the chair car trains to operate throughout the year, even in the harsh Kashmir winters. The eight-coach train has two classes—one Executive Class coach and seven AC Chair Car coaches.
The special modifications to the Vande Bharat train were made due to the region's special weather conditions, where temperatures can drop below zero. 'Changes have been made in the Vande Bharat train as Srinagar and other parts of the Valley witness temperatures in the minus. This special train will allow train connectivity to the region even in the harshest weather," the official said.
In summary, the inauguration of the Vande Bharat train service between Katra and the Kashmir Valley marks a significant milestone, providing a vital rail link and enhanced connectivity for the region.
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