Jammu: Pilgrims journeying between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, are set to experience a significant enhancement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the Vande Bharat Express, which will link these two renowned religious and spiritual hubs.

The semi-high-speed train is expected to shorten travel time, provide greater comfort, and enhance the religious tourism circuit in North India.

The new Vande Bharat will be launched from Katra at approximately 11:10 am on Sunday, with Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and other dignitaries in attendance.

This marks the second major initiative to connect the twin holy cities, following the operational Katra-Jammu-Amritsar-New Delhi motorway, which will soon offer improved road connectivity for pilgrims and residents between these sacred locations.

Katra serves as the base camp for one of the most venerated Hindu shrines, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, while Amritsar is home to Sri Harmandir Sahib, commonly referred to as the Golden Temple, which is the central religious site for Sikhs and a symbol of unity and brotherhood.

Each year, approximately 10 million pilgrims from across India and abroad visit and pay their respects at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra.

With the introduction of Vande Bharat, pilgrims from both cities will have the opportunity to visit both shrines in a single journey, as the enhanced connectivity will save them time and reduce costs.

Amritsar, being a border town in Punjab, holds historical significance with sites like Jallianwala Bagh and the Attari-Wagah border between India and Pakistan, among others. This could evolve into a major pilgrimage circuit in North India, and the improved road and rail links will instill confidence in pilgrims to visit both shrines.

On June 6, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the first train service to Kashmir by flagging off a specially designed Vande Bharat train from Katra to Srinagar, while simultaneously inaugurating another Vande Bharat train from Srinagar to Katra via a virtual event. Since that day, these trains have attracted many travelers, particularly tourists, who marvel at the engineering feat of the train tracks that traverse tunnels and bridges, including the world’s highest railway arch, the Chenab Bridge.

Stoppage for the Katra-Amritsar train

The Vande Bharat train will operate between the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SMVDK) Railway Station in the Jammu Division of Northern Railway and the Amritsar Railway Station in the Ferozepur Division, passing through Vyas, Jammu, Pathankot, and Jalandhar. The Prime Minister will flag it off via video conference.

This Vande Bharat Train No. 26406 will travel from SMVDK to Amritsar Railway Station, while Train No. 26405 will make the return journey from Amritsar Railway Station to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. The special train will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays.

Timetable of special trains

Train number 26407, departing from SMVDK to Amritsar, will leave Katra at 6:40 am and arrive in Amritsar at 12:20 pm, making stops at stations such as Jammu, Pathankot Cantonment, Jalandhar City, and Vyas.

In a similar manner, train number 26405 will depart from Amritsar at 4:25 pm and reach SMVDK by 10 pm. There will be two different fare options for passengers: approximately Rs 1005 for a chair car and Rs 1890 for an executive chair car.

“This Vande Bharat train will greatly benefit passengers traveling to SMVDK, as Katra is a sacred site for Hindus due to the Vaishno Devi temple. With this train, passengers can visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and return to their station in a shorter time,” stated Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (SDCM) of the Jammu division of Northern Railways.

Enhancing tourism

The launch of the Vande Bharat train service connecting Katra and Amritsar is poised to significantly enhance the tourism industry in both cities. Visitors traveling to Amritsar for spiritual reasons and to explore the Attari-Wagah border will now have the chance to visit Katra, from where they can continue their journey to Kashmir via another Vande Bharat train.

Upon arriving in Katra around 10 pm, travelers can pay their respects at the shrine during the night and plan their onward journey the following day by taking the Vande Bharat train to Srinagar. Additionally, from Katra, tourists have the option to hire cabs to reach popular destinations in Jammu, such as Patnitop and Bhaderwah, which are just a few hours away.