Image Source: The Economic Times
The newly introduced Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express has created a travel buzz, with all tickets booked up to July 1, barely a week after its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June eller 6. The train, on the historic 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), is the most sought-after ticket in the area, attracting tourists, pilgrims, and locals in record numbers.
Key Highlights
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Record Demand: The regular Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar are booked full for a minimum of two weeks with advance booking until July. Over 30,000 passengers have already been transported since operations commenced on June 7.
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Tourism & Pilgrimage Boost: Its popularity can be attributed to its ease of use by Amarnath Yatra pilgrims (from July 3) and Vaishno Devi tourists, and by those tourists who wish to experience the scenic Himalayan ride.
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Engineering Wonder: The 36 tunnels and 943 bridges of the corridor, including the world's tallest rail bridge, the Chenab Bridge, offer travelers a scenic, unforgettable journey never before accessible by rail.
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All-Weather Connectivity: Unlike the frequently closed Jammu–Srinagar highway, the Vande Bharat offers guaranteed, year-round connectivity, ending Kashmir's isolation during bad weather.
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Contemporary Comforts: With sub-zero temperatures in mind, the train has heated windshields, insulated toilets, sophisticated heating systems, automatic doors, Wi-Fi, and luxurious interiors, with the promise of comfort at –20°C.
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Record-Breaking Bookings: Authorities record "unprecedented" public reaction, with waiting lists and increasing pressure to introduce extra coaches or increase frequency to meet demand.
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Fastest Travel Time: The train reduces the Katra–Srinagar time to merely three hours—half the time taken by the tortuous road route—making it the quickest, safest, and most picturesque way of travel for tourists.
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Reasonable Prices: The fare for chair car is ₹660–₹715 and executive class seats are ₹1,270–₹1,320, hence the service is affordable to a large group of passengers.
The Buzz
Railway authorities are now considering adding additional rakes and increasing frequency, especially with the Amarnath Yatra rush season coming up. The Vande Bharat Express has not just transformed mobility in the Jammu & Kashmir region but also as an economic revival, tourism growth, and social integration driver—signaling a new era for the Valley.
Source: Times of India, Moneycontrol, Kashmir Observer, Kashmir Despatch, Onmanorama, Rising Kashmir, India Today, The Tribune, Hindustan Times, Paytm Travel.
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