Srinagar, June 5, 2025 – The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, a landmark addition to Jammu and Kashmir’s rail connectivity, will commence commercial operations on Saturday, June 7, 2025, running six days a week. Set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, this semi-high-speed train, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, will enhance access to the Kashmir Valley, fostering tourism, pilgrimage, and economic growth.
The Vande Bharat Express (train number 26401) will depart Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 8:10 AM, arriving in Srinagar by 11:08 AM, covering 190 km in under three hours. The return journey leaves Srinagar at 2:00 PM, reaching Katra by 4:58 PM. A second train departs Srinagar at 8:00 AM the following day, with no service on Wednesdays. Two train sets will operate four daily trips, six days a week, initially stopping only at Banihal, with plans to add Reasi, Sangaldan, Qazigund, and Anantnag.
Designed for Kashmir’s extreme winters, the train features advanced heating systems, heated windscreens, thermally insulated lavatories, and anti-spall layers, ensuring reliable operation at -20°C. This slashes travel time from 6-7 hours by road to about 3 hours, benefiting pilgrims to Vaishno Devi, tourists, and local businesses. The route includes the iconic Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge.
The ₹41,000 crore USBRL project, completed in December 2024, spans 272 km with 119 km of tunnels and 927 bridges, overcoming the Himalayas’ rugged terrain. Bookings are open on the IRCTC platform, with estimated fares of ₹1,500-1,600 for AC Chair Car and ₹2,200-2,500 for Executive Chair Car.
Robust security measures, including CRPF commandos at key tunnels and NSG drills, ensure passenger safety. The service is expected to boost trade and tourism, with plans for Delhi-Srinagar trains by late 2025, featuring a single-ticket system with a mandatory Katra stop.
