Srinagar, June 19, 2025 – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accompanied by his father, former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, embarked on a historic journey aboard the newly launched Vande Bharat Express from Srinagar to Katra on Thursday, June 19, 2025. The high-speed train, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, marks a significant milestone in connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, reducing the travel time between Srinagar and Katra to just three hours.
The Vande Bharat Express, part of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, traverses engineering marvels like the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge over Anji Khad. Abdullah, sharing his experience , expressed enthusiasm for the journey, posting videos and pictures from the moving train with the caption, “Time to head to Jammu #VandeBharat #vandebharatexpress #traintravel.” Upon arrival at Katra Railway Station, the Abdullahs were warmly received by National Conference leaders and workers.
The train, designed to operate in Kashmir’s sub-zero temperatures, features modern amenities such as heated windshields, insulated toilets, automatic doors, and advanced safety mechanisms. Since its public launch on June 7, 2025, the service has seen overwhelming demand, with over 30,000 passengers traveling in the first week and seats booked for weeks in advance. The route, covering 189 km with a stop at Banihal, is expected to boost tourism, facilitate pilgrim travel to the Vaishno Devi shrine, and enhance economic opportunities in the region.
Omar Abdullah, speaking earlier about the rail link, highlighted its long-awaited significance, noting that the project began when he was in school. “This rail project began when I was in the 7th or 8th class. Now, even my children have started,” he remarked, underscoring its transformative impact on Jammu and Kashmir’s connectivity. Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who also traveled on the train last week, called it the “biggest gift” to the region, praising its role in linking Kashmir with the country.
The service operates two pairs of trains (26401/26402 and 26403/26404) six days a week, excluding Tuesdays and Wednesdays for maintenance. With large panoramic windows offering scenic views of the Shivaliks, Pir Panjal, and Himalayas, the journey has been hailed as one of India’s most picturesque rail routes. Despite high demand, railway officials have no immediate plans to add coaches, citing operational constraints.
The launch of the Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express, costing Rs 43,780 crore, symbolizes national integration and regional development, though it comes amid discussions on Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, as raised by Abdullah during the rail link’s inauguration.
