Katra - Srinagar Vande Bharat Express begins operations from June 7: Key details
On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Udhampur–Srinagar, Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), a 272km allweather rail corridor, ahead of launching the region's first Vande Bharat Express. The train route traverses breathtaking Himalayan terrain, including iconic engineering marvels: the soaring Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, and India's inaugural Anji Khad cablestayed bridgeDEFINED TIMINGS:The semihigh-speed Vande Bharat service runs six days a week (excluding Tuesdays for train 26401/02 and Wednesdays for 26403/04)advertisementTrain 26401 (Katra - Srinagar)
Departs Katra: 8:10 AM - Arrives Srinagar: 11:08 AM (no service on Tuesdays)Return: leaves Srinagar at 2:00 PM, reaches Katra by 4:58 PM.Train 26403 (Katra - Srinagar)Departs Katra: 2:55 PM - Arrives Srinagar: 5:53 PM (no service on Wednesdays)Return: leaves Srinagar in early morning, reaching Katra around 8:00 PMSome sources note slight variations in schedule, but both trains stop at Banihal, with possible future haltsTICKETING AND ONBOARD COMFORTTwo travel classes are available:AC Chair Car: Rs 715AC Executive Chair Car: Rs 1,320Interestingly, IRCTC briefly listed Chair Car tickets at Rs 660 as part of a promotional fare before launch.FEATURES INCLUDEClimate-adaptive design: heating systems, defrosting windshields, insulated lavatoriesPassenger convenience: rotatable airline-style seats, charging portsModern amenities: onboard WiFi, infotainment, tray tables, support racks, and rail safety system 'Kavach'Vegetarian meals with local delicacies are offered onboard.TRANSFORMING PILGRIMAGE AND TOURISMadvertisementBy reducing travel time by up to 2–3 hours, the Vande Bharat Express profoundly impacts pilgrims bound for Vaishno Devi in Katra and tourists heading to Srinagar's lakes and gardens. The train's swift pace also ensures reliable connectivity during monsoons and heavy snowfall when road travel becomes unreliable.NEW REA FOR KASHMIR TRAVELThe launch of the Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express symbolises more than just swift travel, it represents a transformative step in unifying Kashmir with the rest of India. Enhanced economic opportunities, tourism growth, and dependable yearround access make this train a game-changer not just for pilgrims but for everyone in the region.Travellers can now look forward to a safe, swift, comfortable, and weather-resilient journey through some of India's most spectacular landscapes.Must Watch
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India Gazette
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Modi inaugurates world's highest rail bridge in Kashmir (VIDEO)
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India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Modi inaugurates worlds highest rail bridge in Kashmir
The crossing is part of a new train line connecting the region to the rest of India for the first time Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated two railway bridges that are a part of a new link connecting the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. It is the first time he has been to the region since the deadly Pahalgam attack on tourists, which triggered a diplomatic and military clash between New Delhi and Islamabad. During his speech on Friday, Modi highlighted the importance of developing Kashmir's infrastructure. The region has been a point of contention between India and Pakistan for decades. The prime minister opened the Chenab bridge - labeled by Indian authorities the world's highest railway bridge - and Anji bridge, India's first cable-stayed rail bridge. Both are parts of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line project, a 272-kilometer long railway link that Modi hailed as Jammu and Kashmir's "new strength" and a "testament to India's growing capabilities." The Chenab bridge, built over the river of the same name, towers 359 meters above the riverbed and rises 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower. It was constructed at an estimated cost of approximately $173 million, according to the official statement. The Anji bridge, a cable-stayed railway bridge constructed in a difficult Himalayan terrain, is 331 meters high and is anchored by 96 high tensile cables. The total length of the cables used in the bridge is 653 kilometers, the statement noted. Modi also announced new trains would run between Jammu's capital Srinagar, and Katra, where Vaishno Devi temple, one of the most visited and revered Hindu pilgrimage sites in India, is located. It marks the completion of a 42-year-old project to link Kashmir with the rest of the country via railway. A test run on his route was carried out by the railway authorities in December last year. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link running through the rugged Himalayas was built at a cost of nearly $5 billion. It includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 kilometers and 943 bridges that allow travel through valleys and mountain passes by train, while previously connectivity in the region was only possible using dangerous roads or by air. The dedication of the rail link "marks a new chapter in mobility, trade and tourism for Jammu and Kashmir," New Delhi said. (
Time of India
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- Time of India
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