PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat train services to Kashmir

The Vande Bharat trains are known for their speed, comfort, and modern facilities. Pic/AFP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off the Vande Bharat train service from Katra town to Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir during his visit to the Union Territory (UT).

PM Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat train and interacted with the children on board the train at the Katra railway station.

IN PHOTOS: First look of newly inaugurated Vande Bharat train in Jammu and Kashmir

5 months agoPHOTO GALLERY

PM Modi keenly heard the views of the children about the Vande Bharat train service before waving a green flag to inaugurate the service, according to the IANS.

As the train chugged from Katra railway station, the air was filled with slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.

Vande Bharat train has state-of-the-art facilities to suit the extremes of weather in the UT.

The Vande Bharat trains are known for their speed, comfort, and modern facilities.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi inaugurated the Chenab Railway Bridge, after which he visited the photo exhibition highlighting technical hardships faced during the construction of the Bridge.

PM Modi interacted with the engineers and the skilled workers who braved all odds of weather and topography to complete the World's tallest Bridge at 359 metres, 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower of Paris.

The PM congratulated the engineers and workers for braving all odds to complete the construction of the Bridge in a record time, which is a marvel of engineering excellence.

Earlier, the Northern Railway (NR) had on Thursday announced regular Vande Bharat Express train services between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra will begin from June 7, 2025.

The new trains will run six days a week, helping improve travel between the Kashmir Valley and the popular pilgrimage town of Katra, the Northern Railway said.

Two pairs of Vande Bharat trains to operate on the route-

These are Train Numbers 26404/26403 and 26401/26402, with a stop at Banihal in both directions.

Train Numbers 26404/26403

Route: Srinagar - Katra - Srinagar

Starts from: 7 June 2025

Runs on: Six days a week (not on Wednesdays)

Train 26404: Leaves Srinagar at 08:00 am, reaches Banihal at 09:02 am, and arrives in Katra at 10:58 am.

Train 26403: Leaves Katra at 2:55 pm, reaches Banihal at 4:40 pm, and arrives in Srinagar at 5:53 pm.

Train Numbers 26401/26402

Route: Katra - Srinagar - Katra

Starts from: 7 June 2025

Runs on: Six days a week (not on Tuesdays)

Train 26401: Leaves Katra at 08:10 am, reaches Banihal at 09:58 am, and arrives in Srinagar at 11:08 am.

Train 26402: Leaves Srinagar at 2:00 pm, reaches Banihal at 3:10 pm, and arrives in Katra at 4:58 pm.