Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Gets Massive Response; Trains Full Till July 25
Jammu/Srinagar, 22nd June 2025: The newly launched Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar has received an overwhelming response from passengers, with trains nearly booked out till July 25, according to data from IRCTC. This landmark train service, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, is being hailed as a game-changer for tourism, trade, and connectivity in the Kashmir Valley.
Trains Full, Flights Drop
Since operations began on June 7, both pairs of Vande Bharat trains on this route have been running near full capacity. The IRCTC booking portal shows long waitlists or no seat availability before July 25, with rapid reservations even after that date.
The high demand for train travel has had a direct impact on air travel to Kashmir. Flight operations from Srinagar Airport have dropped by 50%. On April 21, a day before the Pahalgam terror attack, there were 104 flights (52 arrivals, 52 departures) carrying over 19,000 passengers. That number has now dipped to around 48-52 flights daily, with up to 15% seats going vacant. Airlines have also halved their frequency, and airfares have dropped from ₹12,000–₹15,000 to ₹6,000–₹8,000.
New Travel Option for Tourists, Traders
The train’s affordability and scenic route — including views from India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge (Anji Bridge) — have attracted both tourists and locals. The chair car fare is ₹715, while the executive class costs ₹1,320. The 10-hour road journey from Jammu to Srinagar can now be completed in just 3 hours by train, even in adverse weather, a key advantage in a region frequently cut off due to snow and landslides.
“The response has been phenomenal. It’s not just tourists — traders, students, and even the defense sector are benefiting from this service,” said a railway official in Jammu.
Vande Bharat Timings and Schedule
Two pairs of trains are currently operating between Katra and Srinagar six days a week:
- Train 26401/26402:
- Departs Katra at 8:10 AM → Arrives Srinagar at 11:10 AM
- Returns from Srinagar at 2:00 PM → Arrives Katra at 5:05 PM
- Does not run on Tuesdays
- Train 26403/26404:
- Departs Katra at 2:55 PM → Arrives Srinagar at 6:00 PM
- Returns from Srinagar at 8:00 AM (next day) → Arrives Katra at 11:05 AM
- Does not run on Wednesdays
Future Plans: New Delhi to Srinagar via Katra
A direct New Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat is expected to begin by August or September this year. Passengers will board a train to Katra from Delhi, undergo security checks, and then transfer to a second train bound for Srinagar — a process that may take 2-3 hours.
This phased rollout is part of Indian Railways’ vision to ensure year-round rail access to the Kashmir Valley, especially during times when NH-44 is closed due to snow or landslides.
Engineering Marvel: USBRL & Chenab Bridge
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), to which this route belongs, has taken over two decades and ₹43,780 crore to complete. The 272-km rail line includes 36 tunnels, 943 bridges, and the country’s longest transport tunnel — the 12.77 km T-49.
A crown jewel of this project is the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge built at a height of 331 meters.
Boost for Tourism, Trade, and Defense
The train’s launch is not just a boon for tourism but also for horticulture and defense. Perishables like apples and cherries, which earlier took 2–3 days to reach markets like Delhi, can now be transported quickly, reducing spoilage and improving farmer profits.
With unmatched scenic views, reduced travel time, and increased connectivity, the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is poised to transform life in the Kashmir Valley — bringing it closer to the rest of India, one track at a time.
