PM Modi to inaugurate Kashmir to Delhi Vande Bharat Express; All you need to know

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Indian Railways has good news for passengers and tourists traveling to Kashmir. A new Vande Bharat train connecting Delhi to Kashmir will be launched in January 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh, made the official announcement. The Vande Bharat Express will traverse scenic routes in minimal time.

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The New Delhi-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) will be operational in January 2025, just two months from now. The Delhi-Kashmir Vande Bharat train will have 17 coaches, including one First AC coach, four 2-Tier AC coaches, and eleven 3-Tier AC coaches.

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This train will pass through the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, located in a breathtakingly beautiful area. Of the total 272 kilometers of the USBRL project, 255 kilometers of the rail route have already been completed. The remaining kilometers will be completed in the first week of December. Work is underway on the remaining 17-kilometer stretch between Katra and Reasi. Trial runs will begin in the second week of December.

The world’s highest railway bridge, towering 359 meters above the Chenab riverbed, surpasses the Eiffel Tower in Paris by 35 meters. Stretching over 1.3 kilometers, this engineering marvel serves as a vital connection in the 111-km Katra-Banihal segment of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla section of the Kashmir Railway project, according to officials.

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Many road routes in Jammu and Kashmir are closed during winter, impacting connectivity, goods transportation, and especially tourism. The Vande Bharat Express, connecting Delhi to Kashmir in minimal time, will address these issues.

The USBRL project, nearing completion, aims to connect Kashmir with the rest of India. Out of the total 272 kilometers, 161 kilometers have already been made operational in stages: the 118-km Qazigund-Baramulla section in October 2009, the 18-km Banihal-Qazigund section in June 2013, and the 25-km Udhampur-Katra section in July 2014.

In February 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 48.1-km Banihal-Sangaldan section, another key milestone in the USBRL project.

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The Vande Bharat train will stop in Jammu and at the railway station near the Mata Vaishno Devi temple, benefiting devotees. The fare from Delhi to Kashmir is expected to be between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,100.

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The Vande Bharat train will benefit Jammu and Kashmir's tourism, trade, goods transportation, and more. Fresh fruits, flowers, and vegetables from this region will reach Delhi faster, giving a significant boost to local businesses. This achievement will gain recognition worldwide.