Srinagar, Jan 1: A long cherished dream is set to become reality after the first train connecting Katra in Jammu to Srinagar in Kashmir will chug through mighty Pir Panjal.
For the first time, Northern Railways has announced train timings between Katra and Srinagar. The train service includes newly introduced Vande Bharat trains and Mail/Express trains, as per a communication from Northern Railways.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Srinagar- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express train will be the first semi-high-speed train for the Kashmir valley while third for Jammu. Fares for Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express service could be ₹1,500-1,600 for AC chair car and ₹2,200-2,500 for executive chair car.
Earlier, the national transporter introduced two ultra-modern trains for connecting the UT. These are – train number 22439/22440 New Delhi-SMVD Katra, and train number 22478/22477 SMVD Katra-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express.
The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express train will further revolutionize rail travel in the country. It will not only boost the travel and tourism industry in the valley but also enhance the passenger experience and economic growth of the region.
Developed by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF), the Katra-Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express will cover a distance of over 100 km in less than 02:30 hrs. As of now, there are no such direct train services between the two capital cities of the Union Territory.
The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is likely to begin its journey from SVDK at 08:10 hrs and will reach the destination at 11:20 hrs. On its return journey, the Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express train will depart from Srinagar at 12:45 hrs and will arrive at SVDK at 15:55 hrs. The train will run on the USBRL project.
The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express train will not have a dynamic fare structure. The composition of the Katra-Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express train has not been finalized. However, it is expected that the train will be composed of 8, 16 or 20 coaches. The train will have two types of accommodation – AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car. The train will run six days a week.
The fare or ticket prices of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express train have not been finalized yet. It is expected that the fare for traveling from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and vice versa could be around Rs 1500-1600 for AC Chair Car and Rs 2200-Rs 2500 for Executive Chair Car. The Katra-Srinagar- Katra Vande Bharat Express train will stop at all major stations en route.
The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will be launched soon. Currently, the zonal railway is conducting multiple trials between the Katra-Reasi section of the USBRL project. Once the trial run is completed, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) will inspect and review the various track works. Once CRS is approved, the national transporter will finalize the date and time of the launch.
ICF has designed Vande Bharat Express for Jammu and Kashmir in a unique way. This is so that the train would run smoothly in those temperatures and altitudes. The train will have a heating facility inside the compartments as well as for the water lines to avoid freezing.
It may be noted that Maharaja Pratap Singh had dreamed of this project in 1898. A project was sanctioned in 1905 but it could not be implemented so far. After independence, Jammu was connected with the rest of India through rail. Indira Gandhi started work on the difficult Chenab section (which includes Kashmir) in 1983.
We are waiting since last years
Haji Mohmad Ashraf zann oosui hajjas gasunn…. 🤓🤓🤓
Very nice
Announcing of Train Timings is a welcome step, but it is silent about the Date from which it’s going to start the rolling of trains!