'943 bridges, 36 tunnels, and a record-breaking span': Here’s what to know about the Vande Bharat from Udhampur to Baramulla

June 6, 2025 by News Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 272-kilometre-long Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project today, a significant step toward integrating Kashmir with the rest of the country.

The electrified rail corridor, which has taken years to complete through some of the most challenging Himalayan terrain, includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, making it one of the most ambitious infrastructure undertakings in India. The Katra-Banihal section, in particular, stands out: nearly 97.42 km of its 111-km stretch runs through tunnels and bridges.

ANI reported that this section will host India’s longest railway tunnel and the world’s highest railway arch bridge.

The 13-kilometre T-50 tunnel is the longest railway tunnel in the country and a central feature of this stretch. Equally noteworthy is the Chenab Rail Bridge—an engineering feat rising 359 metres above the Chenab River, which is 35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower.

Officials say the bridge has been constructed to endure seismic shocks and wind speeds of up to 260 km/h. Around 29,800 metric tonnes of steel were used in its construction. The Anji Bridge, also part of this corridor, is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. Built to withstand wind speeds up to 225 km/h, it uses 96 cables and 849 metric tonnes of steel. These structures are designed to meet the demanding conditions of the Himalayan region, both in terms of geography and weather.

Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, told ANI that the USBRL is not just a transportation project but a symbol of national integration and engineering excellence.

He said the Prime Minister would also dedicate the Chenab and Anji bridges to the nation during the event. The USBRL, built at a cost of Rs 43,780 crore, is expected to bring all-weather, seamless railway connectivity to Kashmir for the first time, dramatically reducing travel time and improving access for residents, tourists, and businesses alike.

The Prime Minister is also expected to flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains that will run daily between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra, and Srinagar.

According to officials, one train will leave Katra at 8:10 AM and reach Srinagar by 11:10 AM, while another will depart at 2:55 PM and arrive by 6:00 PM. The return services from Srinagar are scheduled for 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM, reaching Katra by 11:05 AM and 5:05 PM respectively. Each train will comprise eight coaches, including executive class and chair cars, aimed at providing a faster and more comfortable alternative for long-distance travellers in the region.

Dilip Kumar further noted that the Modi government has prioritized railway expansion into remote and previously neglected areas. He pointed to ongoing work in the Northeast, including projects to connect Aizawl and Sikkim, and said a tunnel longer than the T-50 is being constructed to link Karnaprayag. This approach, he said, reflects a larger vision to ensure that no region is left behind in terms of infrastructure and connectivity.

Officials see the inauguration of the USBRL as a “major development” for Jammu Kashmir, not just in terms of travel but also for its potential to boost tourism and local economies.

“With all-weather rail access now a reality, the region is expected to witness faster movement of goods and people, while also bringing a symbolic end to its long-standing isolation,” Officials said.