The new Vande Bharat Express service will reduce the travel time between Katra and Srinagar from the current 6-7 hours by road to just about 3 hours

The train will run through the Anji Khad Bridge, which is India`s first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, which is the highest railway bridge in the world

It`s worth noting that these trains have been specially designed to operate efficiently in the cold climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley

A security jawan stands guard near the Kashmir-bound Vande Bharat train at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Station in Katra, Reasi district

Students holding Tricolours wait at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station ahead of the inauguration of Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir

Security personnel are on high alert in the region as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the world’s highest railway bridge. Notably, this also marks his first visit to the state since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives

Before flagging off the trains, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly interacted with school children onboard, sharing smiles and brief conversations

PM Modi also inaugurated the world`s highest railway bridge over the Chenab river, which was completed at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore in more than eight years

After the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi addressed a public gathering, assuring his full support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir—calling it the "crown of India"—and pledged that the Pahalgam terror attack would not be allowed to derail the ongoing development efforts in the union territory

PM Modi also stated that his government has worked tirelessly for the welfare of border residents over the past several years, highlighting the construction of over 10,000 underground bunkers in border villages, which have helped protect lives during instances of Pakistani shelling

PM Modi shared on X that he met workers behind the Chenab Rail Bridge, praising their dedication and highlighting their pride in contributing to national infrastructure