Katra Railway Station to serve as point for boarding and de-boarding. No direct train from Kashmir to New Delhi
The New Delhi to Srinagar Vande Bharat Sleeper train is set to begin operations on 26 January 2025, offering a modern, semi-high-speed rail service connecting the national capital to the picturesque Kashmir Valley. This will be the first-ever direct rail link between New Delhi and Srinagar, citing security concerns, authorities have confirmed that Katra station will be the point where passengers will need to change trains.
“Trains either coming from Srinagar or returning to New Delhi will stop at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station in Katra, Jammu, where passengers will have to board another train to complete their journey,” ETV Bharat quoted officials as saying.
As per the report, platform number 1 has been designated for Kashmir-bound trains.
“When a train arrives at this platform, all passengers will have to deboard and exit the station. They will then need to re-scan their luggage at the departure lounge before boarding the train stationed at platform number 1 for their onward journey. The same train will not continue to further destinations, and passengers will have to wait for the next train to proceed,” officials explained.
It will be launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the commercial services will begin soon after the launch.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper train will cover a distance of over 800 kilometers, connecting New Delhi to Srinagar in under 13 hours. This initiative marks a major achievement, as it introduces the first-ever direct rail link between India’s capital and the Kashmir Valley, bridging a gap in the country’s transportation network.
