Latest news with #Vande
Economic Times
a day ago
- Economic Times
Srinagar flights get more scenic as air travellers capture Chenab rail bridge photos from the sky while pilots make special announcements
Chenab railway bridge from Srinagar flights( In the days following the inauguration of the Chenab Railway Bridge, a remarkable shift has taken place—not just on the ground, but in the skies. Passengers flying over Jammu and Kashmir have turned into accidental aerial photographers, capturing breathtaking views of one of India's most iconic engineering achievements from 30,000 feet in the air. The world's highest railway arch bridge has not only redefined connectivity in the region but also become a moment of collective pride for travellers who spot it from their flight windows. From the air, the Chenab Bridge is a visual marvel—its sweeping arch stretches across the mighty Chenab River, seamlessly connecting two mountainous cliffs in the rugged terrain of the Reasi district. Its dramatic presence, framed by winding rivers and lush hills, creates a postcard-perfect sight that instantly inspires awe. The clarity with which the massive structure reveals itself from the sky has turned routine flights into memorable journeys. Flight crews now often announce the landmark as the aircraft approaches the region, prompting passengers to rush to their windows and capture the sight with phones and cameras. View this post on Instagram A post shared by প্রণব পতি (@pranab_pati) One particular aerial video recently shared by a traveller flying from Srinagar to Delhi shows the bridge in full glory, cutting majestically through the landscape. The video quickly went viral, drawing widespread appreciation for the feat of Indian engineering. It has become common for claps to erupt mid-air as passengers recognize what they are seeing. In some cases, the moment has moved people to tears of pride. The bridge, which towers 359 metres above the riverbed—35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower—is now more than just an infrastructure project. It is a symbol of ambition, perseverance, and the power of engineering to unite a region long cut off by geography. Built as part of the larger Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, the Chenab Bridge connects Katra to Sangaldan, and ultimately, will link New Delhi to the Kashmir Valley via rail for the first time in Indian history. The railway line now allows trains, including the newly flagged Vande Bharat Express, to traverse a route that once took six to seven hours by road in just about three hours. The convenience, safety, and efficiency this brings for residents, tourists, and pilgrims is monumental—but the emotional impact of this bridge is just as significant. The construction itself is a testament to India's engineering capabilities. The region posed numerous challenges, from seismic activity and treacherous terrain to harsh weather conditions. Engineers had to innovate continuously, even employing a world-class cable-crane system—the first time Indian Railways used such technology—to span a 915-metre-wide gorge. Two massive cable cars and towering pylons over 100 metres high helped ferry materials to the heart of the construction site. Over 28,000 metric tonnes of steel were used to complete the bridge, designed to withstand wind speeds up to 266 km/h. — AshwiniVaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) While aerial views continue to flood social media platforms, the excitement is not limited to those in the air. On the ground, villagers from nearby areas are trekking to higher vantage points to catch a glimpse of the bridge and document it with mobile phones. People are live-streaming from hillsides, sharing real-time footage on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Mesmerising Visuals Emerge As Kashmir's 1st Vande Train Crosses Iconic Anji Bridge
Last Updated: Vande Bharat Express was inaugurated by PM Modi yesterday. The bridge itself is an architechtural marvel as it provides seamless connectivity between Katra and Reasi Visuals have emerged from inside the Kashmir's first Vande Bharat Express train as it crossed the Anji Khad Bridge on Saturday. As the Vande train moved on the bridge, the video captured the mesmerising beauty of the Kashmir valley. The Vande Bharat Express was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday. The bridge itself is an architechtural marvel as it provides seamless connectivity between Katra and Reasi. The Kashmir's Vande train, a symbol of progress and connectivity, will run daily between Katra and the Kashmir Valley. Earlier, passengers from any part of the country could travel by train up to Katra only. From there, they would have to take road or air route to reach Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley but now they have train connectivity till Kashmir. #WATCH | Visuals from inside of Kashmir's first Vande Bharat Express train as it crosses the Anji Khad Bridge, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday. — ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2025 Further, a couple from Varanasi celebrated their son's birthday on board the Kashmir's Vande train by cutting the cake as it reached Anji Khad Bridge The child's father Rakesh Jaiswal said they celebrated the birthday on train so it becomes memorable for his son named Moksh. 'It was a coincidence that it was our son's birthday the same day PM Modi was going to flag off this train. We thought we should celebrate our son's birthday on the first journey of this train so that his birthday becomes memorable for him," news agency ANI quoted him as saying. Now, the train will not only cut down travel time but also boost tourism and make Kashmir more accessible. The Anji Bridge, on which the train will travel, holds the distinction of being first cable-stayed railway bridge in India. Connecting Katra and Reasi, the bridge has 96 cables. It is designed to withstand the region's challenging terrain and seismic activity. Built by Konkan Railway, the bridge spans the Anji River – a tributary of the Chenab. Situated about 80 kilometres from Jammu, the Anji Bridge is 331 metres above the riverbed and stretches 725 metres across. The total length of cable strand used in the bridge is an impressive 653 kilometres. Over 8,200 metric tonnes of structural steel were used for its construction. Besides the Vande train, PM Modi also unveiled the 111-kilometre Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project on Friday that now allows direct train connectivity to Kashmir from Jammu. A remarkable feat of engineering, the USBRL is a 272-km-long project, and barring the 111-km section, trains were already operating on the remaining 161 km from both ends. Altogether, the project includes 36 tunnels (collectively 119 km) and 943 bridges. The railways ministry believes that the USBRL project – sanctioned in 1994-95 – is perhaps the most difficult new railway line project undertaken in the country post-independence. The journey between Katra and Banihal will pass through 37 bridges with a combined length of seven km. The list includes 26 mega and major bridges and 11 minor ones. When starting the journey from Katra, passengers will come across a number of minor bridges and at least four unique bridges on their way to Srinagar. First Published: June 07, 2025, 15:15 IST
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Passengers call Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat a ‘great move' to connect Kashmir with rest of India
The inaugural ride of the Vande Bharat Express between Srinagar and Katra has drawn praise from passengers, many of whom described the new service as offering "unmatched convenience," making travel "much easier", "possible and comfortable," while hailing it as a "great move by the government" to connect Kashmir with the rest of India. Tourists and locals alike hailed the launch as a historic moment, saying it would not only cut down travel time but also boost tourism and make Kashmir more accessible. Speaking to ANI, Ashok Kumar Khajanchi, a tourist from Bikaner in Rajasthan, shared his experience, "We came from Bikaner to Mumbai and then to Srinagar. We've visited places like Belgaum, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg. Many had tried to scare us into cancelling our trip, but we were determined. When we heard Vande Bharat was running, we cancelled our taxi to Jammu Tawi, even though we lost Rs 6,000. We booked Vande Bharat tickets at 7 PM and reached Srinagar by 8 PM. Due to my health problems, the train made travel much easier." Khajanchi, who is recovering from a foot fracture, added, "The convenience offered by Vande Bharat is unmatched. I had two fractures, so we had to cancel our earlier car and train bookings. But this train made the journey possible and comfortable." PM Modi J&K visit highlights His wife, Manju Khajanchi, also expressed satisfaction with their Kashmir trip. "We've spent five days in Srinagar. The weather is lovely, and people are welcoming. Whatever you hear in the news is far from reality. It's peaceful and beautiful--just like a paradise," she said, standing at Srinagar railway station before boarding the train back to Katra. Another traveller highlighted the new service's time-saving aspect: "Earlier, travelling to Jammu meant taking a flight or a long taxi ride. Now, the Vande Bharat train will make the same journey in nearly the same time as a flight. It's a great move by the government to connect Kashmir with the rest of India." He added, "This will benefit not just tourists but also officials and local commuters. Once extended to Jammu in two months, the journey will become even smoother. People from the South who earlier avoided long flights or multiple modes of transport can now come by train." With the commencement of this route, many believe Kashmir will witness a sharp rise in tourism, as Vande Bharat promises a fast, reliable, and scenic journey through the valley. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station, officially connecting the Jammu division with Kashmir via rail. This marks a major milestone in strengthening railway infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. During his visit, PM Modi also inaugurated the world's highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River. Speaking on the occasion, he said the development projects will further boost Jammu and Kashmir's growth journey. The train passes through two engineering marvels: the Anji Khad Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, the highest railway bridge in the world.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
PM Modi to inaugurate Kashmir's first all-weather rail link with Delhi via Katra
Kashmir is set to finally have a rail link with the rest of the country, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Srinagar–Jammu–Delhi rail link on June 6 at the Katra end in Jammu's Udhampur district. The Vande Bharat Express between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar will begin regular operations from June 7, officials said. Prime Minister Modi, in a post on social media platform X, said, 'Tomorrow, 6th June is indeed a special day for my sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir. Key infrastructure projects worth ₹46,000 crores are being inaugurated which will have a very positive impact on people's lives.' Considered an engineering marvel, the Chenab Rail Bridge will improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar, he said. 'The Anji Bridge stands tall as India's first cable-stayed rail bridge in a terrain that is challenging,' he added. The Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which will now be fully operational, ensures all-weather connectivity. 'The Vande Bharat trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar will boost spiritual tourism and create livelihood opportunities,' the Prime Minister said. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also shared his anticipation on X. 'Visited the tallest railway bridge in the world, the Chenab Bridge, to review arrangements for the visit of the Hon PM Modi ji tomorrow. Tomorrow is a landmark day for J&K when, finally, the valley will be connected to the rest of the country by a railway link to be inaugurated at the hands of the Hon PM,' he said. 'I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. This rail project began when I was in the 7th or 8th class. Now, even my children have started working after completing school and college. But better late than never,' Mr. Abdullah said, expressing hope for the positive impact of the project on the region's economy. 'Whenever the highway gets blocked, the airlines start selling tickets of ₹5,000 for ₹20,000. Such issues will be solved from now on. Our horticulture produce like cherry and apple will be ferried.' Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified that a direct rail service between Srinagar and Delhi will commence in September once platforms 5 and 6 are ready at Jammu Railway Station. In the meanwhile, following the inauguration by PM Modi from June 7 onwards, two pairs of Vande Bharat Express will begin regular operations between Katra Srinagar route. Following the inauguration, two pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains — 26404/26403 and 26401/26402 — will run on the Srinagar–Katra–Srinagar route with intermediate stops at Banihal. The 26404 train will depart Srinagar at 8 a.m., halt at Banihal at 9:02 a.m., and reach Katra at 10:58 a.m. The return service (26403) will leave Katra at 2:55 p.m., reach Banihal at 4:40 p.m., and arrive in Srinagar at 5:53 p.m. These trains will run six days a week, excluding Wednesday. The other service, 26401, will depart from Katra at 8:10 a.m., reach Banihal at 9:58 a.m., and arrive in Srinagar at 11:08 a.m., while 26402 will leave Srinagar at 2 p.m., reach Banihal at 3:10 p.m., and arrive at Katra at 4:58 p.m. This pair will also operate six days a week, excluding Tuesday. After inaugurating the train service, Mr. Modi is expected to visit the deck of the Chenab Bridge around 11 a.m., followed by a visit to the Anji Khad Bridge. Engineering marvels The Chenab Rail Bridge, which stands 359 metres above the riverbed — 35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower — is being hailed as the world's highest railway arch bridge. The 1,315-metre-long structure, designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 260 km/h, is built at a cost of ₹1,486 crore and has a projected life of 120 years. The Anji Khad Bridge, meanwhile, is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge. Towering 331 metres above the riverbed and stretching 725 metres, it features 96 high-tensile cables and a 193-metre inverted Y-shaped pylon. It is constructed using over 8,200 metric tonnes of structural steel, with a total cable strand length of 653 km. The 272-km USBRL project, constructed at a cost of ₹43,780 crore, comprises 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges that traverse rugged Himalayan terrain. Central Reserve Police Force personnel have been deployed for security across the USBRL, especially on the Katra–Baramulla stretch and around the Chenab Bridge. The Army, Railway Protection Force, and Government Railway Police are also involved in the security arrangements. This visit marks PM Modi's first to J&K since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and follows a recent four-day military standoff with Pakistan.
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- The Hindu
Several trains short-terminated, cancelled to facilitate works
Five trains originating from or terminating at Visakhapatnam have been cancelled on June 2 and another on June 3 to facilitate the Pre-Non-Interlock & Non-Interlock works in the Rayagada-Vizianagaram section of Waltair Railway Division. The trains that have been cancelled on June 2 are 58538 Visakhapatnam-Koraput Passenger, 58537 Koraput- Visakhapatnam Passenger, 18512 Visakhapatnam-Koraput Bi-Weekly Express, 58528 Visakhapatnam- Raipur Passenger and 58527 Raipur- Visakhapatnam Passenger. Train no. 18511 Koraput- Visakhapatnam Bi-Weekly Express has been cancelled on June 3, according to K. Saandeep, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager. Meanwhile, train no. 17243 Guntur-Rayagada Express, scheduled to leave Guntur on June 1, will be short-terminated in Vizianagaram, and 17244 Rayagada-Guntur Express will leave from Vizianagaram instead of Rayagada on June 2. Rescheduled services Train no. 20830 Visakhapatnam-Durg Vande Bharat Express has been rescheduled and it will leave Visakhapatnam at 6.50 p.m. on June 2, instead of its scheduled departure at 2.50 p.m. Train number 20829 Durg - Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express has been rescheduled to leave Durg at 10.15 a.m. on June 2, instead of its scheduled departure at 5.45 a.m. Train no. 18190 Ernakulam-Tata Express, scheduled to leave Ernakulam on June 1 will leave at 10.15 a.m. instead of its scheduled departure at 7.15 a.m. Train no. 13352 Alappuzha-Dhanbad Express, scheduled to leave Alappuzha on June 1, will depart at 8 a.m., instead of its scheduled departure at 6 a.m. The railway authorities have urged the passengers to take a note of the changes and plan their journey accordingly.
