Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the first-ever Vande Bharat Express to Srinagar, marking a major milestone in Indian Railways’ expansion in Jammu and Kashmir. This is Modi’s first visit to the region since the Pahalgam terror attack in April.
Vande Bharat Connects Katra to Srinagar
The Vande Bharat Express will begin passenger operations from Saturday, June 7, running between Katra and Srinagar. Two train sets will operate four trips daily, drastically cutting down the travel time.
Train number 26401 will depart from Katra at 8:10 am and arrive in Srinagar by 11:08 am. It will return from Srinagar at 2:00 pm, reaching Katra at 4:58 pm. Until now, the region was connected only by road, often disrupted due to monsoon and landslides.
Built for Harsh Winters
Indian Railways has specially engineered these trains to withstand Kashmir’s tough climate. The coaches come with:
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Anti-freezing technology to prevent water and bio-toilet systems from freezing
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Built-in heating systems for comfort in sub-zero temperatures
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360-degree rotating seats and charging points for passenger convenience
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Capable of running smoothly in snowy and icy conditions
Affordable and Comfortable
Travel fares have been set competitively:
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Chair Car: Rs 715
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Executive Class: Rs 1,320
Passengers can enjoy a quick, three-hour journey in both the morning and afternoon services.
