Katra, Aug 10: The new Vande Bharat Express connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station of Jammu Division, Northern Railway, with Amritsar Railway Station of Ferozepur Division was inaugurated today. The train was virtually flagged off by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi through video conferencing, with the main inaugural ceremony held in Bengaluru.
At Katra, the occasion was marked by the presence of Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh and Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore, who joined senior railway officials and members of the public to celebrate the launch.
The newly introduced Train No. 26406 (Katra–Amritsar) and Train No. 26405 (Amritsar–Katra) will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays. Train No. 26406 departs from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 06:40 hrs and arrives at Amritsar at 12:20 hrs, halting at Jammu, Pathankot Cantt, Jalandhar City and Vyas. Train No. 26405 departs from Amritsar at 16:25 hrs and reaches Katra at 22:00 hrs, with halts at Vyas, Jalandhar City, Pathankot Cantt, and Jammu.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jitendra Singh commended the Prime Minister’s vision for modern, efficient, and passenger-friendly train services. “The Vande Bharat Express is not just a symbol of technological advancement, but also of our government’s commitment to bring world-class transport facilities to every corner of the country, including the Jammu region,” he said.
Shri Jugal Kishore highlighted the benefits of the new service for pilgrims, tourists, and local commuters, noting that the Katra–Amritsar route will significantly reduce travel time while providing enhanced comfort and amenities.
The Vande Bharat Express will provide a faster, more comfortable travel option for devotees visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, enabling convenient same-day travel. The train’s introduction is also expected to boost tourism and economic activity between Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.
The Vande Bharat Express is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including plush seating, modern interiors, high-speed performance, and advanced safety features, making it a landmark in Indian Railways’ modernization efforts.
