Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar.
The development marks a major milestone in connecting Kashmir with the rest of India by train. He also virtually flagged off another Vande Bharat Express from Srinagar to Katra, completing the long-awaited Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).
Flagged off Vande Bharat trains that connect Katra and Srinagar. Also had the opportunity to interact with these bright and energetic youngsters. Here are highlights from our interaction... pic.twitter.com/k0UY7ilI9Z
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 6, 2025
From June 7 onwards, two Vande Bharat trains will run daily between Katra and Srinagar, making four trips every day. The ticket fare is ₹715 for standard class and ₹1,320 for executive class.
Train #26401 will leave Katra at 8:10 AM and reach Srinagar by 11:08 AM. It will return the same day at 2:00 PM and arrive in Katra at 4:58 PM. This service will not run on Tuesdays.
Train #26403 will leave Katra at 2:55 PM and reach Srinagar by 5:53 PM. It will return the next morning, departing from Srinagar at 8:00 AM. This service will not run on Wednesdays.
The launch of these trains is seen as a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir, and is expected to improve travel for locals, boost tourism, and help the economy by making the region more accessible.
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is a major railway project launched to connect the Kashmir Valley with the Indian Railways network throughout the year. The project was approved in the mid-1990s and gained momentum in the 2000s. It covers a total distance of 272km.
The USBRL passes through difficult mountain terrain and includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119km) and 943 bridges, including the iconic Chenab Bridge—the highest railway bridge in the world.
The Chenab Bridge, located between Kauri and Bakal in Reasi, is the highest railway bridge in the world | Afcons Infrastructure
The most challenging part of the project was the Katra-Banihal section, where engineers had to deal with steep mountains and tough rock conditions. With this segment now completed, trains can travel smoothly from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley.
This rail link is expected to transform transportation in Jammu and Kashmir, making travel safer, faster, and more convenient.
