The Vande Bharat train inauguration, scheduled to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 17, has been postponed.
Official Sources informed news agency JKNS, the Vande Bharat train service from Katra to Srinagar, initially scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 17, 2025, has been postponed.
Sources further added that earlier, too, there was no official communiqué regarding the inauguration, and the reports circulating were unconfirmed.
Earlier, there were reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the much-awaited Vande Bharat train service from Katra to Srinagar on February 17.
It is important to note that the train service features engineering marvels, including the Anji Khad Bridge, with its 331-meter-high pylon, and the Chenab Bridge, which stands at 359 meters, making it the world’s highest railway bridge, taller than the Eiffel Tower. These structures not only improve connectivity but also highlight India’s advancements in infrastructure and technology, an official said.
The train is designed to operate seamlessly even in harsh winter conditions, withstanding temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius, ensuring uninterrupted services in extreme cold.
Operating on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), the train will complete the 150-kilometer journey between the first and last stations in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Key stops along the route include Reasi and Banihal, an official said. (JKNS)