Vande Bharat Train Trial Run Held on Katra-Sangaldan Link Ahead of PM Modi’s April 19 Inauguration

By A Staff Reporter

Katra, Jammu & Kashmir — The trial run of the Vande Bharat Express was successfully conducted on the Katra-Sangaldan section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), ahead of the official inauguration scheduled for April 19 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The 272-kilometre USBRL project, a crucial infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, has reached its final phase with the completion of the Katra-Sangaldan stretch. The project is considered a strategic and developmental milestone for the region, aiming to provide all-weather connectivity to the Kashmir Valley and improve the socio-economic landscape.

Railway authorities conducted the trial run to assess the readiness of the route and ensure safety and technical compliance before passenger operations begin. Officials confirmed the smooth operation of the Vande Bharat train during the trial and are optimistic about its performance on the challenging terrain of the Himalayan region.

The inauguration of the Katra-Sangaldan link will mark the culmination of one of India’s most ambitious railway engineering feats, involving the construction of tunnels, bridges, and viaducts through the rugged mountain landscape.