The Vande Bharat Express is set to glide swiftly between Katra and Srinagar, cutting down travel time and setting a new benchmark in comfort for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This development is more than just a new train service. It stands as a symbol of how far the region’s railway network has come over the last 11 years.
On 6thJune, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir to mark this progress. He will flag off new Vande Bharat trains and inaugurate two engineering marvels: the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab and India’s first cable stayed rail bridge at Anji.
The rail map of Jammu and Kashmir has been redrawn with precision and purpose. Projects once seen as distant dreams have become functional links connecting lives, livelihoods and landscapes. With full electrification, a dedicated railway division, and station modernisation underway, the region is now firmly on track for faster, cleaner, and more inclusive growth.
Chenab Rail Bridge
Towering 359 metres above the riverbed, the Chenab Rail Bridge stands as the world’s highest railway arch bridge. It rises 35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower. Spanning 1,315 metres, this steel arch structure is a key part of the Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Railway Link and marks a significant milestone in Indian engineering.
Designed to endure harsh terrain and extreme weather, the bridge can withstand wind speeds of up to 260 kilometres per hour and is built to last 120 years. With a project cost of ₹1,486 crore, it is not just a bridge but a symbol of India’s technical prowess. Structural steel suitable for temperatures ranging from minus 10 to 40 degrees Celsius has been used, ensuring resilience across seasonal extremes. The most sophisticated ‘Tekla’ software was used for structural detailing, enabling high precision in design and execution.
Anji Khad Bridge: Engineering Marvel to Transform Travel in Jammu & Kashmir
A major leap in infrastructure and connectivity, the newly completed Anji Khad Bridge is set to significantly reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar. With the Vande Bharat Express now running over this engineering marvel, the travel duration between Katra and Srinagar will be slashed to approximately three hours — saving two to three hours of journey time.
India’s First Cable-Stayed Railway Bridge
Standing tall across the rugged Himalayan landscape, the Anji Khad Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. Located about 80 km from Jammu city, it spans the Anji River valley south of the Chenab, linking the critical Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).
Set against snow-capped peaks, the bridge soars 331 metres above the riverbed and stretches 725 metres across. It is held together by 96 high-tensile cables, anchored to an inverted Y-shaped pylon rising 193 metres from the base. The total length of cable strand used is a remarkable 653 kilometres. Despite the formidable geography, the bridge was completed in just 11 months.
Built using over 8,200 metric tonnes of structural steel, the bridge is designed to withstand earthquakes, strong winds, and geological shifts — embodying engineering excellence and human resilience. More than a transport link, it represents a powerful symbol of national integration and development.
USBRL and the Arrival of Vande Bharat
The Anji Khad Bridge is a key part of the USBRL — one of independent India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. The 272-kilometre-long railway line traverses the Himalayas with 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges that connect valleys, ridges, and mountain passes. With an estimated cost of ₹43,780 crore, the project is redefining mobility, trade, and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Adding momentum to this transformation is the launch of the Vande Bharat Express on this route. Specially adapted for the Himalayan terrain and climate, the train operates seamlessly even in temperatures as low as -20°C. Heated windshields, advanced heating systems, insulated toilets, and a dedicated snow removal engine ahead of the train ensure all-weather reliability.
Seismic dampers provide additional safety, cushioning the train against tremors in this earthquake-prone region. Together, these innovations make the Jammu–Srinagar rail corridor more resilient, modern, and future-ready.
Decade of Progress in Rail Infrastructure
Over the past 11 years, the central government has consistently advanced railway infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. From introducing electric trains and creating a new railway division to commissioning tunnels like T-50 and enhancing religious tourism routes, these projects have fueled connectivity and inclusive growth.
Milestone: Udhampur–Katra Rail Link (July 2014)
Commissioned in July 2014, the 25.6 km Udhampur–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section marked a major milestone in the USBRL. Built at a cost of ₹1,132.75 crore, it features 10.9 km of tunnels, 36 bridges, and a modern Katra station. As part of its inclusive development model, Indian Railways provided permanent employment to over 700 landowners who gave up more than 75% of their land for the project.
World-Class Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Station
Inaugurated on July 4, 2014, the Katra railway station is a modern four-line crossing facility, offering extensive amenities to passengers. Its platforms, each 550 metres long and covered with 400 metres of shelter, are equipped with water booths, benches, toilets, and other essential facilities. A dedicated foot overbridge enhances accessibility for local residents.