Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the first passenger train to Srinagar, a historic achievement for the railway connectivity of Jammu and Kashmir. The Vande Bharat Express from Katra to Srinagar is set to start full operation on June 7 (Saturday) and put an end to the region’s long history of depending on road transport.
This marks PM Modi’s first visit to the union territory since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. During the visit, he will also inaugurate the iconic Chenab Bridge — the world’s highest railway arch bridge — further boosting connectivity in the Himalayan region.
Four Daily Trips Between Katra and Srinagar
Indian Railways has scheduled four round trips from Katra to Srinagar on two Vande Bharat Express trains. Train number 26401 will leave Katra at 8:10 AM and arrive in Srinagar by 11:08 AM. It will leave Srinagar at 2:00 PM and arrive at Katra by 4:58 PM.
Earlier, tourists depended completely on highway connections between Srinagar and Jammu, frequently affected by monsoons and landslides. The new railway facility reduces journey time to almost three hours and gives travelers a more reliable means of transport.
Designed for Harsh Terrain and Weather
The Vande Bharat Express trains plying on this route have advanced anti-freezing features so that the operations can go on smoothly even under harsh winter conditions. Railway authorities have furnished the coaches with heating facilities, bio-toilets that withstand freezing temperatures, and upgraded passenger services such as 360-degree rotating seats and charging stations.
Developed specially for the harsh weather of Kashmir, the train provides safe and unhindered journeys even under snowfall or below-zero temperatures.
Vande Bharat: Affordable Travel with Modern Comfort
Authorities have competitively fixed the fares in the Vande Bharat Express on this corridor. Chair car tickets will be Rs 715, while executive class seats cost Rs 1,320. The initiative will help locals and tourists alike, boosting regional tourism and activity.
This latest infrastructure milestone symbolizes the central government’s ongoing thrust to enhance Jammu and Kashmir’s connectivity and development.
