Srinagar, July 2: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has written to Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw to increase the coaches and frequency of Srinagar –Katra Vande Bharat.
In a letter to Vaishnaw, he said the recent launch of the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar has been widely welcomed and has generated immense public enthusiasm across Jammu and Kashmir. This landmark initiative has ushered in a new era of modern, comfortable, and time-efficient travel for our citizens and tourists alike, he said.
He said that based on the feedback, the service needs to be augmented. “ The current coach configuration on the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is proving insufficient to cater to the growing passenger demand, especially during weekends, holidays, and the ongoing pilgrimage and tourism seasons. Augmenting the train’s capacity by adding one or more Chair Car and Executive Class coaches will go a long way in addressing this surge,” he said.
Given the overwhelming response and the strategic importance of this route, he requested that the frequency of the train be increased. This would greatly benefit local commuters and tourists and help unlock the full potential of this vital corridor, he said.
He also called for the rescheduling of timings. “ It has also been observed that the current departure and arrival timings are not optimal for the working population or for those intending to undertake day-trips for official, educational, medical, or pilgrimage-related purposes. In this regard, it is earnestly requested that the departure from Katra be scheduled in the early morning hours, and the return journey from Srinagar be timed for the late evening. This would facilitate same-day return travel and significantly enhance commuter convenience,” he said.
Omar also pitched for onboard internet services. “ In today’s digital age, uninterrupted internet access has become a key expectation of passengers, especially on premium trains such as the Vande Bharat Express. Provision of high-speed onboard Wi-Fi will greatly enhance the travel experience, allowing passengers to remain connected for work, communication, and entertainment during their journey, especially in view of poor mobile connectivity in the long tunnels. I would be grateful if the Ministry of Railways could kindly examine the above suggestions with a view to their early implementation. These measures will substantially improve passenger satisfaction, regional connectivity, and tourism promotion in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.