June 6, 2025 - The Vande Bharat Express connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. This high-speed train will significantly reduce travel time between the two cities to just three hours, compared to the previous six-hour road journey.

The launch coincided with the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), a 272-kilometre project that ensures all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.

Two pairs of trains will offer four daily trips on this route with stoppage only at Banihal for the time being. Later, more stoppages are likely to be added.

Train No. 26404 will depart from Srinagar at 8:00 am, reach Banihal at 9.02 am, and arrive in Katra at 10.58 am. The return train, 26403, will leave Katra at 2.55 pm, halt at Banihal at 4.40 pm, and reach Srinagar at 5.53 pm. This train will not run on Wednesdays.

The second pair Train No. 26401 will leave Katra at 8.10 am, stop at Banihal at 9.58 am, and arrive in Srinagar at 11.08 am. Train No. 26402 will depart Srinagar at 2:00 pm, reach Banihal at 3.10 pm, and conclude its journey at Katra at 4.58 pm. This train will not operate on Tuesdays.

According to a railways official, there will be two travelling classes Chair Car (CC) and Executive Class (EC) with tickets costing Rs 715 and Rs 1,320 respectively. Meals will be local cuisine and vegetarian.

The train will begin operations from June 7, the Northern Railway said yesterday. Bookings have opened for commercial operations through the IRCTC portal.

With Media Inputs