Farooq Abdullah Celebrates Vande Bharat Train as a Milestone for Jammu and Kashmir
A Historic Journey on the Vande Bharat Train
On Tuesday, Farooq Abdullah, the leader of the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir, hailed the Vande Bharat trains operating on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link as a monumental gift for the region. This new rail service connects Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India. Abdullah arrived at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station after traveling on the Vande Bharat train from Nowgam (Srinagar) Railway Station. He expressed his emotions, stating that he felt 'teary' as the train traversed the Chenab Bridge.
The Chenab Bridge, recognized as the highest bridge globally, represents a significant achievement for Indian Railways, having been completed amidst challenging conditions. It facilitates rail connectivity between Kashmir and Jammu, extending to the entire nation. Abdullah remarked, 'This is the most significant gift that connects Jammu and Kashmir with the entire country... I was emotional when we crossed the Chenab Bridge. The day has finally arrived when we can travel by train from Kashmir to the rest of India. I extend my congratulations to all the workers and engineers involved in constructing this bridge.'
The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir expressed deep appreciation for the engineers and workers of Indian Railways who contributed to this project. He stated, 'This train will not only boost tourism but also enhance trade. Our products will reach places like Kanniyakumari, Patna, Kolkata, and Mumbai, which will be highly beneficial for us. I am grateful to all railway workers and engineers for their hard work. This achievement was made possible through collective efforts.'
He further noted that this project was a vision of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, advanced by Manmohan Singh, and completed under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. Abdullah highlighted the significance of the railways, which remain operational even during snowfall, allowing people to travel at more affordable rates.
The two Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Katra Railway Station with Kashmir were inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on June 6. The new service will reduce travel time between Katra and Srinagar to approximately three hours, cutting down the previous duration by two to three hours. These trains are specifically designed to function in the cold climate of the Kashmir Valley, traversing the Anji Khad Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, the highest railway arch bridge worldwide.
The Chenab Rail Bridge, standing 359 meters above the river, is a remarkable engineering feat, measuring 1,315 meters in length and built to endure seismic and wind forces. The USBRL project spans 272 kilometers and has an estimated cost of around Rs 43,780 crore, featuring 36 tunnels (totaling 119 km) and 943 bridges. This initiative aims to provide all-weather rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, significantly enhancing regional mobility and promoting socio-economic integration.