With two new Vande Bharat trains starting tomorrow, all it will now take to reach Srinagar from Katra is a Rs 700 ticket and three hours, News18 reported.
In a historic leap for regional connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the trains on Friday boosting connectivity and tourism in Kashmir. The commercial operations of both the trains will begin on Saturday.
As per the report, the special trains will operate return journeys during the day, taking three hours to cover the distance between Srinagar and Katra with a stop at Banihal.
Train number 26401 will take 2 hours and 58 minutes, with chair car fares at Rs 715 and executive class at Rs 1,320. This train will depart from Katra at 8.10 am and arrive in Srinagar at 11.08 am, with a two-minute stop at Banihal at 9.56 am.
On its return journey, the train will be numbered 26402. It will cost Rs 880 for a chair car and Rs 1,515 for the executive class. The train will depart from Srinagar at 2 pm and arrive in Katra at 4.58 pm, with a two-minute stop at Banihal at 3.08 pm. Trains 26401/26402 will operate six days a week, except Tuesdays, News18 reported.
Train 26403 will depart from Katra at 2.55 pm and arrive in Srinagar at 5.53 pm, covering the distance in 2 hours and 58 minutes. The fare for this train will be Rs 660 for a chair car seat and Rs 1,270 for executive class. The difference in ticket price from the first Vande Bharat train is due to a difference in catering charges.
From Srinagar, train 26404 will depart at 8 am and arrive in Katra at 10.58 am, with a two-minute stop at Banihal at 9 am. Tickets will cost Rs 715 for a chair car and Rs 1,320 for executive class. Trains 26403/04 will operate six days a week, except Wednesdays.
According to the report, the two trains will mark the connectivity of Kashmir via train with the completion of the Udhampur Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL). Until now, trains operated within the Kashmir region but were not connected to the national rail network.
Specially Designed Vande Bharat Trains
These two trains are upgraded to withstand the unusually harsh weather in Kashmir. Vande Bharat trains on this route are specially designed with anti-freezing technology, using silicon heating pads to prevent freezing of water and bio-toilets in extreme cold, the News18 reported.
Heated plumbing pipelines are installed with self-regulating heating cables to prevent water from freezing, ensuring smooth operations even in sub-zero temperatures.
The train coaches include a heating system for sub-zero conditions in Srinagar, 360-degree rotating seats, and charging points for passenger comfort. Overcoming the challenges of snow, freezing temperatures, and extreme conditions, these trains ensure uninterrupted services, the Railways has promised.
Connecting Jammu Soon
While these trains are initially connecting only Katra and Srinagar, in the future, the train operations will be extended to Jammu to offer direct connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir.
“Currently, the railway station in Jammu is under redevelopment. As soon as the work is completed, we will consider extending the service till Jammu," a ministry official told News18.
PM Modi was originally scheduled to inaugurate these trains in April, but weather delays and the April 22 terror attack postponed the launch. Now, the long-awaited Vande Bharat journey to Kashmir is set to begin, News18 reported.
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