Srinagar, April 16, 2025: The highly anticipated visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to inaugurate the Vande Bharat Express on a section of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link , a mega railway project, has been postponed, officials confirmed. No new date for the visit has been announced.
Preparations for the PM’s visit were in full swing, with mock drills and trial runs conducted on the USBRL section. Chief Area Manager Kashmir, Saqib Yousuf Yatoo , verified the postponement, stating that further updates on the rescheduling are awaited.
The Vande Bharat Express, stationed at Katra, is specially designed to operate in the sub-zero temperatures of the Kashmir Valley. The train features eight fully air-conditioned coaches equipped with advanced amenities, including cab heating, HVAC systems with 9kW heating capacity, sealed gangways, infotainment displays, CCTV surveillance, LED lighting, mobile charging ports, automatic plug doors, and electro-pneumatic brakes.
The USBRL project, a critical infrastructure initiative, aims to enhance connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, with the Vande Bharat Express poised to offer modern, high-speed rail travel in the region.