Image Source: Agencies

Aug 11, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday virtually flagged off a new Vande Bharat Express that will operate between Katra and Amritsar, further strengthening the rail connectivity of Jammu and Kashmir. The new semi-high-speed train is expected to enhance convenience for passengers, especially pilgrims traveling to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, while also connecting the commercial hub of Jammu with Amritsar.
On the inaugural run of the train, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh referred to it as yet another significant gift for J&K. "J&K has been given top priority since 2014. Katra is a shining example of this. Prime Minister Modi began his 2014 election campaign by paying obeisance at the Vaishno Devi shrine. He gave the nation the Katra railway station when he became president. The second Vande Bharat train was approved for the Katra–Delhi section when Vande Bharat trains were introduced. Another Vande Bharat train has been given to J&K in the second phase of the rollout, he stated. Dr. Singh went on to say that the Prime Minister had gone to Katra in June of this year to launch two Vande Bharat trains to Srinagar, marking the conclusion of the national railway project that had been in the works for a long time to connect Kashmir and Kanyakumari. The train number 26406 will leave Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 6:40 a.m. and arrive in Amritsar at 12:20 p.m., stopping at Beas, Pathankot, Jalandhar City, and Jammu. In the return direction, train number 26405 will depart from Amritsar at 4:25 pm and reach Katra at 10:00 pm, stopping at Beas, Jalandhar City, Pathankot, and Jammu en route.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the new train service. He stated, "It will ease travel for devotees of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and give the local economy a major boost." He also noted that the transport infrastructure in J&K, especially the railways, has witnessed unprecedented growth under PM Modi’s leadership. He continued, "The first freight train that reached Anantnag from Punjab on August 9 marks a significant milestone for the Kashmir Valley's transport and trade sectors." Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu also thanked the Prime Minister and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the new Vande Bharat service. He said the train would boost spiritual tourism as well as trade and tourism between Katra and Amritsar, describing it as a "significant milestone for Punjab." He added that passengers from Pathankot, Jalandhar, and Beas would greatly benefit from the modern and comfortable travel experience the Vande Bharat offers.
"We are fortunate to witness the fulfillment of the dreams envisioned by our elders under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi," Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary stated in an address to the gathering at the Katra railway station prior to the departure of the train. On June 6, our Prime Minister and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched the first train from Katra to Kashmir, a historic event. Many people were skeptical that a train would ever make it to Kashmir, which was once known for its terrorism. But today, the region is witnessing rapid development.”