Finance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Katra, Jammu, and Srinagar, Kashmir, marking a crucial milestone following the completion of the 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project.
So far, rail services have been available only between Banihal and Baramulla in the Kashmir Valley and between Jammu, Udhampur, and Katra in the Jammu Region.
Features of Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express
This project would build all-weather, seamless train connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country, with the goal of transforming regional mobility and driving socioeconomic integration.
The trains have climate-specific adaptations, including heating at sub-zero temperatures and defrosting components inserted in the driver’s lookout glass.
Residents, tourists, and pilgrims will all benefit from a quick, comfortable, and dependable mode of transportation. There will also be heated windscreens and thermally insulated restrooms. One significant benefit of this train is that it will take around three hours to go between Katra and Srinagar over the Chenab bridge, cutting the current travel time by two to three hours.
When will it began?
The Northern Railway announced the commencement of regular services of the Vande Bharat Express trains between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra from June 7.
The services will operate six days a week, enhancing connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the prominent pilgrimage destination. Currently, Two pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains will be introduced. Train Nos. 26404/26403 and 26401/26402 were introduced on the Srinagar-Katra-Srinagar route, with an intermediate halt at Banihal.
Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat: Ticket fares
Passengers travelling on the new Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will have to pay ₹715 for a chair car seat and ₹1,320 for executive class. For the second train the fare prices are ₹660 for a chair car seat and ₹1,270 for executive class.
Timings and schedule
According to Northern Railway, the two Vande Bharat trains will run a total of four trips daily on this route. Train number 26401 will depart from Katra at 8:10am and reach Srinagar by 11:08am. On the return leg, it will leave Srinagar at 2pm and reach Katra by 4:58pm. This train will not run on Tuesdays.
The second service, train number 26403, will leave Katra at 2:55pm and arrive in Srinagar at 5:53pm. It will depart from Srinagar early the next morning and arrive in Katra at 8 p.m. This train will not run on Wednesday.
Source: HT
