Vande Bharat trains on Katra-Srinagar route see ‘overwhelming’ response

Nearly a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra to Srinagar, the trains operating on the route are witnessing an “overwhelming” response. The trains for the next month are almost fully booked, as per the Railways data.

The Vande Bharat Express trains began their commercial operations from Katra to Srinagar earlier this month. The train service has come as a major relief for travellers as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been witnessing frequent landslides and incidents of shooting stones, leading to its closure.

Officials said while widening work on the highway was underway, the new rail link offers a safer and faster alternative.

According to the mobile application of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), in train number 26401, seats for both chair car and executive class are booked until July end. For a majority of this period, the tickets show regret booking, which means the booking capacity of even the waiting list has exceeded. Train number 26403 is also witnessing a similar situation as all its seats are booked until July end.

The two trains begin their journey at 8.10 am and 2.55 pm, and reach Srinagar at 11.08 am and 5.53 pm, respectively. The two semi-high-speed trains operate six days a week, with Wednesday as their non-operational day.

On the return journey, the corresponding trains depart from Srinagar at 8 am and 2 pm, arriving at their destination at 10.58 am and 4.58 pm. Tickets for trains coming from Srinagar to Katra were also booked till July end in both chair car and executive class.

Now, a passenger can book a ticket only through Tatkal options.

Not only has the train service gained immense popularity among locals, pilgrims and tourists, many politicians are also travelling in this train. Leadership of the National Conference — including party president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah — has also travelled in this train.

Jammu Divisional Railway Manager Vivek Kumar told The Tribune that the trains on this route were receiving “overwhelming” response. “As things move ahead, we will work on other things like increasing the frequency of trains,” he added.

After the massive rush in the Vande Bharat trains, the Chief Minister Omar also said that the UT government would request the Railway Ministry to increase the capacity of the trains on this route.

Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu earlier said several trains would be introduced on the route over time.

He also said direct train services between Srinagar and Delhi would also be operational by the end of this year.

Those associated with the tour and tourism industry say the frequency of these trains should be increased so that more travellers could take its advantage.

“The damage is very huge and there should be more trains on the route, especially during the winters,” said a Srinagar-based travel operator.

J & K