Launch of Vande Bharat Express Connects Katra and Srinagar

Inauguration of Vande Bharat Express

On Saturday, the Northern Railway commenced the commercial operation of the Vande Bharat Express train between Katra and Srinagar, as confirmed by officials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off this train from Katra on June 6, marking a significant step in connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country via rail.

Passengers traveling between Katra and Baramulla expressed great enthusiasm about the new service. Many stated that they had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to travel to Kashmir by train for a long time.

Officials reported that on the first day of commercial operations, the trains ran smoothly and reached their destinations by evening. There was a notable excitement among the public, with most seats being booked within just a few hours of the inauguration.

According to the Northern Railway, two Vande Bharat trains completed a total of four trips between Katra and Srinagar on Saturday. The train offers two classes of travel: Chair Car (CC) and Executive Class (EC), with fares set at ₹715 and ₹1,320, respectively.