New Delhi [India], June 5: The Northern Railway has announced that regular operations of the Vande Bharat Express between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra will commence from June 7, enhancing high-speed connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the revered pilgrimage site.
The new service will operate six days a week, with two pairs of trains—Train Nos. 26404/26403 and 26401/26402—stopping at Banihal en route.
Train Schedule Highlights:
- Train 26404 (Srinagar–Katra):
Departs 08:00 hrs, halts at Banihal 09:02 hrs, reaches Katra 10:58 hrs - Train 26403 (Katra–Srinagar):
Departs 14:55 hrs, halts at Banihal 16:40 hrs, arrives Srinagar 17:53 hrs - Train 26401 (Katra–Srinagar):
Departs 08:10 hrs, halts at Banihal 09:58 hrs, arrives Srinagar 11:08 hrs - Train 26402 (Srinagar–Katra):
Departs 14:00 hrs, halts at Banihal 15:10 hrs, reaches Katra 16:58 hrs
Note: Services will not operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays due to maintenance.
The launch follows the completion of the Katra–Sangaldan rail link, a crucial part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL), which includes the iconic Chenab Bridge—the world’s highest railway arch bridge.
PM Modi’s Visit and Local Reactions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the inaugural run of the Vande Bharat Express on June 6, marking a major leap forward in railway infrastructure and regional integration. Security has been tightened at Udhampur Railway Station ahead of his visit.
Locals welcomed the development with optimism:
- Abdul Azeez Chandel called it a “comfort for common people.”
- Kesar Singh, recalling the region’s troubled past, said, “Nobody thought the train would come here. Now everything is good.”
- Chaudhary Ghulam Hussain urged similar projects in Gulmarg, Srinagar, and Pahalgam, emphasizing tourism and employment benefits.
- Kuldeep Kumar Sharma added, “It was a dream, but PM Modi made it real. It connects us with the rest of India.”
A Historic Milestone
The train service not only improves travel efficiency and boosts religious tourism, but also integrates Jammu and Kashmir more closely with India’s rail network, paving the way for economic growth and social transformation in the region.