Northern Railway on Thursday announced the introduction of regular services of Vande Bharat Express trains between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra.
Services will operate six days a week, increasing connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the major pilgrimage destination.
Two pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains, train no.
Except for Wednesday, trains were scheduled to operate six days a week.
SMVD Katra Vande Bharat Express left Srinagar at 08:00, stayed at 09:02 pm at Banihal, and reached Katra at 10:58 pm.
Srinagar Vande Bharat Express departed from Katra at 14:55 pm, stayed at Banihal at 16:40, and reached Srinagar at 17:53 pm.
The service was scheduled for six days a week except Tuesday.
Srinagar Vande Bharat Express left Katra at 08:10, reached Banihal at 09:58, and reached Srinagar at 11:08 pm.
Srinagar – SMVD Katra Vande Bharat Express started from Srinagar at 14:00, passed by 15:10 pm, and reached Katra at 16:58 pm.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ready to flagged Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar on 6 June, which symbolizes the completion of the Katra-Sangaldon Rail Link Project.
The new route includes The Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, making it a historic milestone for Indian Railways. The opening has created enthusiasm among the residents of the region.
Talking to ANI, Abdul Aziz Chandel said, “It will be very convenient if the train service starts here. We are very grateful to the government to work on it. It gives a lot of rest to the common people.”
Kesar Singh, another local, recalled the region’s past and mentioned positive changes. “I am very happy that the services of the train started here. Earlier, the situation here was bad due to extremism. But now everything is good here. Nobody thought that the train would come here.”
He said, “The train will prove to be very convenient for the people. I appreciate PM Modi for sindoor. He gave a very important response to Pakistan.”
Chaudhary Ghulam Hussain urged for more development, “We are waiting for the train from Katra as soon as possible. We want our people to benefit from it. We need such projects in Gulmarg, Srinagar and Pahgam.”
Hussain said that the expansion will bring employment opportunities for the local people. “If it is brought to the tourism map, it will be great for us and the people because it will increase our employment opportunities for our children,” he said.
Another local, Kuldeep Kumar Sharma said, “We had no hope that the train would run. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it real. It’s a matter of joy because it can connect us with the rest of India. It was a dream for us, but PM Modi did it in reality.”
Meanwhile, security measures at Udhampur railway station have been tightened before the Prime Minister’s visit. The completion of this link not only promotes regional connectivity, but also integrates Jammu and Kashmir with the National Railways grid more closely. (AI)