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 Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, hailed the Vande Bharat trains operating on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link as a monumental gift for the residents of Jammu and Kashmir. He made this statement after arriving at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station aboard the Vande Bharat train from Nowgam (Srinagar) Railway Station. Abdullah 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. This bridge facilitates rail connectivity between Kashmir and Jammu, extending to the rest of the nation. Abdullah remarked, 'This is the greatest gift to link Jammu and Kashmir with the entire country... I was overwhelmed with emotion when we crossed the Chenab Bridge. The moment has finally arrived when we can travel by train from Kashmir to other parts 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 dedicated their efforts to this project. He stated, 'This train will not only boost tourism but also enhance trade. Our products will now reach places like Kanniyakumari, Patna, Kolkata, and Mumbai, which will be immensely beneficial for us. I am grateful to all the railway personnel and engineers who contributed to this achievement. It was a collective effort that made this possible.'

Abdullah highlighted that this initiative was a vision of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, furthered by Manmohan Singh, and completed under Narendra Modi's leadership. He expressed gratitude to the engineers and workers who constructed the world's highest bridge, emphasizing the new travel opportunities it provides. 'We can now reach Kanniyakumari, Patna, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Assam by train. This will significantly aid tourism, especially since the railways operate even during snowfall, allowing our people to travel at more affordable rates.' The two Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Katra Railway Station directly to Kashmir were inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on June 6.

The newly introduced Vande Bharat Express 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, passing through 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, soaring 359 meters above the river, is a remarkable 1,315-meter-long steel arch bridge engineered to endure seismic and wind forces. The USBRL project spans 272 kilometers and has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 43,780 crore, featuring 36 tunnels (totaling 119 km) and 943 bridges. This project aims to provide all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, enhancing regional mobility and fostering socio-economic integration.