Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the first-ever Vande Bharat Express service to Kashmir during his visit to Jammu on June 6.
This long-anticipated launch is poised to transform regional connectivity and reframe the narrative of development in Jammu and Kashmir through a lens of sustainability, precision engineering, and strategic inclusion.This will be PM Modi’s first visit to the Union Territory since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and India’s subsequent cross-border precision strike under Operation Sindoor on May 7. His arrival underlines the central government’s intent to move forward with key development milestones despite prevailing security concerns.
Modi will flag off the Vande Bharat train from Katra to Baramulla, virtually covering both directions. An on-ground rally at Katra Stadium is also expected, marking the symbolic unity between regions long separated by terrain, conflict, and lack of infrastructure.The newly operationalised stretch completes the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a 272-kilometre project years in the making. Backed by an investment of nearly ₹41,000 crore, the line is being hailed as one of Indian Railways’ most complex infrastructure feats, particularly for its engineering triumphs — the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges.
The Chenab Bridge, towering at 467 metres, eclipses even the Eiffel Tower in height and represents not only a structural marvel but also a symbol of India’s growing self-reliance in high-altitude rail construction. Designed to withstand seismic tremors and high-speed winds, the bridge is expected to facilitate safe, high-speed transit across some of India’s most volatile terrain.The USBRL has been commissioned in phases since 2009, with the final 17-kilometre Reasi–Katra stretch being completed earlier this year after rigorous testing and security audits. An electric train trial was successfully completed on the Katra–Banihal section in January 2024, paving the way for full-fledged operations.
Officials from Indian Railways have confirmed that the Vande Bharat train will initially operate between Katra and Baramulla. A further extension of service to begin from Jammu is projected post-August, following platform expansion works at the Jammu Railway Station. This progression will eventually create a seamless eco-conscious transit corridor from Jammu deep into the Kashmir Valley.Security on the rail line has been tightened significantly following the Pahalgam attack, with additional police deployment and infrastructure reinforcements already in place. During Operation Sindoor, a limited military train movement was successfully executed on the same route, indicating the corridor’s readiness for public rollout.
This expansion in rail connectivity is expected to unlock substantial economic opportunities in Kashmir by improving supply chains, enabling tourism, and offering sustainable alternatives to carbon-heavy road transport. The Vande Bharat Express, known for its energy efficiency and lower emissions, also aligns with the government’s broader push for green transport infrastructure.While Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit focused on security preparedness in the region, PM Modi’s trip is expected to highlight long-term developmental integration. His physical and virtual presence at the launch will mark a high-impact moment for a region often defined by its fragility, now being redefined through resilient, inclusive infrastructure.
As Kashmir gears up to welcome its first premium electric train service, the symbolic resonance of this milestone is unmistakable. It is not just a train—it is a message: that even the most remote geographies have a seat on India’s journey toward connected, sustainable growth.
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