The trial run of a special Vande Bharat train on the Katra-Sangaldan section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line (USBRL) was successfully conducted this week.
This critical development precedes the formal inauguration of what is now the world’s tallest railway bridge the Chenab Bridge marking a transformative step in integrating Kashmir into the national railway grid. Spanning 272 kilometres through some of the most challenging Himalayan terrain, the USBRL project has long been envisaged as a lifeline for the Kashmir Valley. Officials confirmed that all preparations have now reached completion for the official flag-off by the Prime Minister on 19 April, which will also witness the launch of regular Vande Bharat services between Jammu, Katra, Srinagar, and eventually Baramulla.
This trial is not merely ceremonial—it is symbolic of a larger shift in India’s infrastructure approach that prioritises seamless connectivity across regions that were once deemed inaccessible. The Katra-Sangaldan segment, which houses the engineering marvel that is the Chenab Bridge, represents the final link in a journey that began over two decades ago with the dream of rail access to the Valley. Railway authorities reported that the trial run followed eight previous dry runs across newly constructed segments, including two of India’s most iconic railway engineering structures—the Anji Khad Bridge and the Chenab Bridge. Towering at a record 359 metres above the Chenab River, the bridge eclipses the Eiffel Tower in height and is nearly five times taller than the Qutub Minar from riverbed to track level. Its 1,315-metre stretch features a 467-metre main arch span and is built to endure wind speeds of up to 266 km/h.
The construction relied on an unprecedented 28,000 metric tonnes of steel and introduced an innovative cable crane system capable of transporting materials across a 915-metre gorge, supported by pylons over 100 metres high. Experts from the Ministry of Railways have described the bridge as more than an engineering achievement—it’s a strategic and emotional link connecting the socio-political aspirations of Kashmir with the rest of India. The operationalisation of this segment sets the stage for a historic passenger journey between Katra and Baramulla. Officials revealed that two Vande Bharat Express trains—one in each direction—are expected to run on inauguration day, showcasing the high-speed rail’s potential for regional mobility and tourism development.
Enhanced security arrangements have been implemented across the stretch, with multi-layered protection at critical junctures, reflecting the strategic sensitivity and national importance of the project. Senior officials overseeing the execution confirmed that the route traverses key zones of religious and ecological interest, with care taken to balance connectivity with environmental considerations. While the project promises to boost pilgrimage tourism to Katra and economic prospects in the Valley, it also draws attention to the need for sustainable practices in large-scale infrastructure development. Railways officials emphasised that the USBRL route is designed to be operational year-round, regardless of weather disruptions—a stark contrast to the often-unreliable road access during Kashmir’s severe winters.
The USBRL project has been commissioned in phases since 2009, beginning with the Baramulla-Qazigund segment, followed by Banihal-Qazigund, and Udhampur-Katra sections. The most technically complex segment—Sangaldan to Reasi—was completed in June 2024, with the final 17-kilometre Reasi-Katra link closed in December last year, sealing the last major gap in this high-altitude railway. This high-altitude marvel is not merely an infrastructural feat but a national milestone that resonates with the broader themes of equitable development, regional integration, and climate-conscious transport planning. Unlike carbon-intensive highway construction in fragile terrains, railways offer a significantly greener mobility alternative—especially when backed by electric propulsion, as seen with Vande Bharat’s semi-high-speed trains.
The upcoming inauguration may carry symbolic weight, but the real story lies in the doors it opens—for commerce, for culture, and for communities long isolated from the economic mainstream. For the people of Kashmir, this is more than a train—it is a bridge to opportunity, stability, and shared growth. Whether it delivers on that promise will depend on how inclusively and sustainably the rail corridor evolves from here
Vande Bharat Journey Begins on Himalayan Track
