Why PM Modi’s inauguration of the train to Kashmir has been postponed

The train to Kashmir will have to wait a little longer as the inauguration of the service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 19 has been postponed due to weather concerns.

After landing at Udhampur defence airport, Modi had to fly to the highest rail bridge, Chenab Railway Bridge, and then travel by train up to Katra. He was scheduled to inaugurate Chenab rail bridge and India’s first cable-stayed bridge over Anji Khad on way to Katra. Security had already been beefed up across Jammu, especially in Reasi. Security was also heightened along the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

There will be no direct train from Delhi or Jammu to Kashmir – the train from Katra will travel to Srinagar. Passengers will have to deboard the train at Katra for a security check and board another train for the onward journey. However, the ticket will remain the same.

The Indian Railway has planned to run Vande Bharat Express, specially designed to operate in the Kashmir Valley's sub-zero temperatures, and is already stationed at Katra. The train consists of eight fully air-conditioned coaches equipped with cab heating.

The train will travel at 85km per hour, though it is capable of travelling at speeds up to 160km per hour.

The Railways has conducted eight trials over the past three months on various segments of the Katra-Kashmir track. These trials included significant milestones such as India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, and the Chenab Railway Bridge.

The train service is expected to benefit people in Kashmir and especially students enrolled in different colleges and universities outside Kashmir.

The train will boost tourist arrivals in Kashmir. It will also be highly beneficial for travellers in winters when the airlines hike prices of tickets for Kashmir. Due to bad weather, flights also get delayed. The train will help resolve these issues.