Author: News Desk Kashmir Ahead

Katra, June 7, 2025 – The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express chugged out of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station at 8:10 AM today, marking its historic inaugural commercial journey to Srinagar, just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the high-speed train on June 6, 2025. This state-of-the-art train, part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, promises to transform travel in Jammu and Kashmir by cutting the Katra-Srinagar journey to a swift three hours, compared to the 6-7 hours by road. The Vande Bharat Express, designed to brave the region’s extreme winter conditions, navigated the…

Srinagar, June 7, 2025 – In the heart of Srinagar, hundreds of devotees converged at Balgarden to offer Eid-ul-Adha prayers, enveloping the morning in an aura of reverence and tranquility. The festival, celebrated with fervor across the Muslim world, honors Prophet Ibrahim’s profound sacrifice, and in Balgarden, the community embodied this spirit through heartfelt prayers and unity. As dawn broke, men, women, and children gathered for the congregational namaz, their voices rising in unison under the open sky. The serene setting of Balgarden, a cherished locality in Srinagar, amplified the sense of devotion, with worshippers dressed in traditional attire, reflecting…

On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, marking his first trip to the region since the Pahalgam terror attack. He laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated mega development projects worth over ₹46,000 crore to boost infrastructure, connectivity, and socio-economic growth in the Union Territory. Key Projects and Initiatives

On June 5, 2025, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, to oversee final preparations for its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025. Abdullah shared stunning visuals of the bridge on X, calling it a “landmark day for J&K” as the Kashmir Valley will finally be connected to the rest of India via an all-weather railway link, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project. The Chenab Bridge, located in Reasi district, stands 359 meters above the Chenab River, surpassing the Eiffel Tower in height. Spanning 1,315…

Kashmir, June 5, 2025 – On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate transformative infrastructure projects worth Rs. 46,000 crore to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, marking a significant milestone for the region. These projects, including the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Bridge, are set to enhance connectivity, boost spiritual tourism, and create livelihood opportunities. The Chenab Rail Bridge, an architectural marvel, will improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar, facilitating seamless travel in a challenging terrain. Similarly, the Anji Bridge, a pioneering cable-stayed rail bridge, underscores India’s engineering prowess. Both…

Katra, June 5, 2025 – The Vande Bharat Express, poised to connect Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar, is stationed at Katra Railway Station, ready for its official flag-off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025. Marking the completion of the transformative Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, this semi-high-speed train will commence commercial operations on Saturday, June 7, establishing all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley and boosting tourism, pilgrimage, and economic growth. The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express (train number 26401) will depart Katra at 8:10 AM, reaching Srinagar by 11:08 AM, covering 190 km in under…

Srinagar, June 5, 2025 – The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, a landmark addition to Jammu and Kashmir’s rail connectivity, will commence commercial operations on Saturday, June 7, 2025, running six days a week. Set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, this semi-high-speed train, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, will enhance access to the Kashmir Valley, fostering tourism, pilgrimage, and economic growth. The Vande Bharat Express (train number 26401) will depart Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 8:10 AM, arriving in Srinagar by 11:08 AM, covering 190 km in under three hours. The…

Srinagar, June 5, 2025 – Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hailed the upcoming launch of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express as a transformative step for the region’s growth, with commercial operations set to begin on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Speaking at Katra Railway Station alongside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Sinha emphasized the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project’s role in driving economic prosperity, tourism, and connectivity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the service and the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges on June 6, marking a historic milestone in linking Kashmir to India’s rail network.…

Srinagar, June 5, 2025 – The Vande Bharat Express, linking Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar, will launch commercial operations on Saturday, June 7, 2025, after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6. Part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project, this semi-high-speed train will enhance all-weather connectivity to the Kashmir Valley, boosting tourism, pilgrimage, and trade. The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express (train number 26401) departs Katra at 8:10 AM, reaching Srinagar by 11:08 AM, covering 190 km in under three hours. The return trip leaves Srinagar at 2:00 PM, arriving Katra by 4:58 PM. A second…

In Kashmir, the paddy planting season has begun under the strain of an intense heatwave and prolonged dry spell, threatening farmers’ livelihoods. The India Meteorological Department recorded Srinagar’s temperature at 32.2°C and Qazigund at 33°C, 8.6 degrees above normal. In Ganderbal’s villages like Saloora, Arhama, and Tulmulla, irrigation canals are dry, borewells are inadequate, and fields are cracking, raising fears of drought. Farmer Mohammad Ashraf voiced concerns: “Our crops are dying. Without water, we face starvation.” The Irrigation Department is addressing disruptions caused by a 6-inch pipe laid by the Roads and Buildings Department, which has hampered water distribution. AEE…