Katra Rail Committee Reviews Bridges Passenger Facilities and Safety Measures
Katra witnessed an important inspection by the Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Railways, as members reviewed the status of tunnel construction, bridge maintenance, and commuter facilities on the Katra-Srinagar rail route. The delegation, consisting of parliamentarians and railway officials, assessed infrastructure at the base camp town of the Vaishno Devi shrine before proceeding to inspect some of India’s most vital railway engineering feats including the Anji and Chenab bridges.
The visit follows the recent launch of the Vande Bharat Express connecting Katra and Srinagar, signalling a renewed focus on rail connectivity and safety in Jammu and Kashmir.At a meeting held in Katra, railway authorities presented updates on structural conditions of bridges, road over bridges, and road underpasses. Emphasis was placed on safety measures adopted for the Anji bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab bridge, the world’s tallest rail bridge. Both are engineering milestones critical to the Himalayan rail corridor. The PSC also plans to evaluate passenger amenities at stations along the route, including the strategic Sangaldan halt, which is part of the Vande Bharat network. With increasing passenger volume and calls for more services, including proposed Jammu–Srinagar trains from September, ensuring both comfort and safety remains a top priority.
The Committee’s itinerary includes travel by special train from Katra to Srinagar with multiple en route inspections. They are expected to assess not just infrastructure, but also passenger safety features and the digital systems now integrated into station operations. Their visit forms part of a broader series of high-level inspections in the Union Territory aimed at streamlining operations and preparing for increased rail traffic in the region. Experts view such parliamentary reviews as necessary to maintain transparency and accountability in large-scale infrastructure projects, especially those set in ecologically and geologically sensitive zones like the Himalayas.
With increasing demand for rail connectivity in northern India, especially in areas affected by terrain and seasonal challenges, the focus on bridge safety, real-time monitoring, and passenger convenience reflects a commitment to long-term sustainability. As the Vande Bharat expansion gains momentum, consistent evaluation and course correction will be essential to maintaining service quality and infrastructure health. The findings from this review are expected to be tabled in Parliament, contributing to national policy discussions on rail infrastructure development and regional accessibility.
