PM Modi to Inaugurate Historic Kashmir Train Service on February 17

13 Feb 2025 CW Team

In a landmark development, the Kashmir Valley will soon be directly connected to the country's railway network, with the inaugural run of the Katra-Srinagar train service scheduled for February 17.

Sources told Greater Kashmir that preparations are underway for the historic event, which will be officiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to flag off the Vande Bharat train from Katra. However, official confirmation is still awaited.

Railway authorities have been directed to ensure full readiness for the launch, with a directive that no leave will be sanctioned for railway employees in the coming week due to the scale of the inauguration.

Engineering Marvel: USBRL Project

The new railway line is part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project—one of India’s most challenging and technologically advanced railway undertakings. The project boasts several engineering milestones, including:

Anji Khad Bridge – India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, featuring a 331-metre-high pylon.
Chenab Railway Bridge – The tallest railway bridge in the world, standing at 359 metres above the riverbed and surpassing the height of the Eiffel Tower.
Advanced Tunneling Infrastructure – Over two dozen small and large tunnels that significantly shorten the journey for passengers.

Vande Bharat: Built for Extreme Conditions

The Vande Bharat train on this route is specially designed for the region’s extreme climate conditions, with features that set it apart from other Vande Bharat trains across India:

Operates smoothly in temperatures as low as -20°C.
Equipped with advanced heating systems to ensure passenger comfort.
Heated windshields in the driver’s cabin to prevent fogging and ice formation.
Anti-freezing plumbing and bio-toilets, ensuring seamless functionality in freezing conditions.

In a landmark development, the Kashmir Valley will soon be directly connected to the country's railway network, with the inaugural run of the Katra-Srinagar train service scheduled for February 17. Sources told Greater Kashmir that preparations are underway for the historic event, which will be officiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to flag off the Vande Bharat train from Katra. However, official confirmation is still awaited. Railway authorities have been directed to ensure full readiness for the launch, with a directive that no leave will be sanctioned for railway employees in the coming week due to the scale of the inauguration. Engineering Marvel: USBRL Project The new railway line is part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project—one of India’s most challenging and technologically advanced railway undertakings. The project boasts several engineering milestones, including: Anji Khad Bridge – India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, featuring a 331-metre-high pylon. Chenab Railway Bridge – The tallest railway bridge in the world, standing at 359 metres above the riverbed and surpassing the height of the Eiffel Tower. Advanced Tunneling Infrastructure – Over two dozen small and large tunnels that significantly shorten the journey for passengers. Vande Bharat: Built for Extreme Conditions The Vande Bharat train on this route is specially designed for the region’s extreme climate conditions, with features that set it apart from other Vande Bharat trains across India: Operates smoothly in temperatures as low as -20°C. Equipped with advanced heating systems to ensure passenger comfort. Heated windshields in the driver’s cabin to prevent fogging and ice formation. Anti-freezing plumbing and bio-toilets, ensuring seamless functionality in freezing conditions.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

Daikin Boosts Haryana’s Innovation Push with Rs 10 billion R&D Plan

Japanese multinational Daikin Industries has committed an investment of Rs 10 billion to set up a new research and development centre in Haryana. The proposed facility will focus on advanced technologies and sustainable industrial solutions, marking a significant boost to the state’s innovation and industrial ecosystem. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Osaka, Japan, during a visit by a Haryana government delegation held from October 6 to 8. The MoU was signed by Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, ..

Building Material

13 Oct 2025

Lloyds Metals to Build Rs 250 billion Steel Plant in Gadchiroli

Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL) has announced an investment of Rs 250 billion aimed at transforming Gadchiroli in Maharashtra from a region once associated with the red corridor into a key industrial and growth hub. The company’s plans are centred on establishing an integrated steel production ecosystem, which will contribute significantly to regional development and employment. As part of its expansion strategy, LMEL is setting up a 4.5-million-tonne blast furnace in Gadchiroli, scheduled for completion by 2027–28, along with another 1.2-million-tonne facility in Chandrapur by 2029..

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

UPI Crosses 500 Million Users, Fuels MSME and Digital Growth

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a new milestone, surpassing 500 million consumers and 65 million merchants across India. The platform, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has expanded its reach to nearly 99 percent of the country’s pin codes, underlining its deep penetration into both urban and rural markets. According to a report by NPCI and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) launched during the Global Fintech Fest 2025, UPI has evolved from being a digital payments mechanism into a key enabler of financial inclusion and small business growth. I..