Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the much-awaited Katra-Srinagar railway line on 19 April, marking a significant milestone in one of the Indian Railways’ most challenging projects to date. Ahead of the inauguration, he will also inspect two engineering marvels—the world’s highest Chenab Rail Bridge and the country’s first cable-stayed Anji Khad Bridge.
According to official sources, Modi will land at Chenab Rail Bridge—towering 1,178 feet above the riverbed, 82 feet higher than the Eiffel Tower—after flying in from Udhampur. From there, he is scheduled to travel by train to Katra, flagging off the inaugural Vande Bharat express from Katra to Baramulla.
The Prime Minister will inspect both Chenab and Anji Khad bridges, the latter hailed as India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. "The Vande Bharat train, which the Prime Minister will flag off from Katra to Baramulla, will carry a large number of Railways workers who have been invited for travel in the inaugural train. They worked on the world’s toughest railway project, from Udhampur to Baramulla. The workers who have retired have also been invited," officials said.
Describing the move as a “fitting tribute” to the labour force that built the ₹41,000 crore project, officials added that those who contributed to its execution—including retired personnel—will be aboard the inaugural service.
Trial runs have been underway for several months, culminating in the successful electric train trial on the Katra-Banihal section on 4 January this year. Both Chenab and Anji Khad bridges were subject to repeated trials before receiving green flags.
While the Chenab Bridge—an arch structure across the deep gorge of the Chenab river—has gained international attention, the Anji Khad Bridge, suspended by steel cables over the Anji river, stands as a testament to modern engineering under extreme terrain conditions.
The Udhampur-Baramulla railway project aims to link the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India by rail for the first time and is widely recognised as among the most complex railway ventures undertaken in the country.
Meanwhile, security arrangements have been intensified across Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on 19 April for the inauguration of the much-anticipated Katra-Srinagar railway line.
The bolstered security measures come in the wake of two recent encounters—one in Kishtwar and the other along the Line of Control (LoC) in Akhnoor.
Three militants, including a commander, were neutralised in these operations, while a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army lost his life in the LoC exchange.
Speaking on the significance of the railway project, Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, said the 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) includes a 119-kilometre tunnel and marks a major milestone in the region’s connectivity.
“It has been the dream of every Indian to have a train running to Kashmir. For this, we have made long preparations, and now this USBRL section is ready,” Kumar said.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the line, he added, “This entire area is very important for Kashmir’s religious, tourism, and connectivity needs.”
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