In a landmark development, Northern Railway has announced the first-ever direct train service connecting Katra in Jammu to Srinagar, marking a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.
The much-anticipated service will include state-of-the-art Vande Bharat trains as well as Mail/Express trains, according to an official communication from Northern Railways.
Train Timings:
Vande Bharat Express:
Departure from Katra (SVDK): 8:10 a.m.
Arrival in Srinagar: 11:20 a.m.
Mail/Express (Morning):
Departure from Katra: 9:50 a.m.
Arrival in Srinagar: 1:10 p.m.
Mail/Express (Afternoon):
Departure from Katra: 3:00 p.m.
Arrival in Srinagar: 6:20 p.m.
The service is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 6, with the trains likely to commence operations around Republic Day on January 26.
This historic initiative aims to boost tourism and strengthen the socio-economic ties between Jammu and Kashmir.