For months, the people of Kashmir have eagerly waited to witness the Vande Bharat Express Train running in the picturesque valley. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was slated to inaugurate the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express Train on April 19, 2025. However, it seems that the inauguration has been postponed yet again. Yes! you heard it right. It seems like Kashmiris will have to wait more for the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express Train.
Why is the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express inauguration postponed?
The answer is bad weather. PM Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla-Rail Project (USBRL), the World’s tallest Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Rail Bridge on April 19, besides flagging off the special Kashmir edition of Vande Bharat Express from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station to Srinagar.
However, a news wire quoted a source who informed, "The Prime Minister was scheduled to visit Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge, for which two helipads were readied, but due to the bad weather forecast from April 19 to 22, the visit has been postponed."
As per reports, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued yellow and orange alerts predicting light to moderate rains and snow in Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days.
It is pertinent to mention here that PM Modi was also scheduled to address a public meeting at Katra. However, it now seems unlikely.
Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat new Inauguration date
The new dates for the inauguration would be announced later. As per reports, it will be inaugurated by April end when the weather is favourable.
On April 19, PM Modi was supposed to inaugurate the final section of the Katra-Sangaldan stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a 272-km project, on April 19 and also flag off the special Kashmir edition of Vande Bharat Express from Katra to Srinagar on the day.