Amritsar-Katra Vande Bharat Express flagged off; Beas junction to be upgraded
Amritsar, June 16
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu on Tuesday announced that the Beas junction railway station in Punjab's Amritsar district is being redeveloped at an estimated cost of Rs 62 crore under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
He also flagged off the Amritsar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express from Amritsar. The train will run on a new route that shortens the distance by approximately 84 km and reduces travel time by 40 minutes.
The Beas railway station currently handles around 106 trains daily, including 98 halting trains and 8 originating or terminating services. Passenger footfall, currently about 6,166 per day, is projected to rise to nearly 19,500 per day.
The redevelopment project will include the construction of a new station building on the GT Road side while preserving the heritage façade and architectural character of the existing structure. A new platform will be added, increasing the total to three. A six-metre-wide foot-over bridge will be constructed at the Amritsar end, while the existing one will be extended towards the second entry side.
Comprehensive redevelopment of circulating areas, approach roads, parking facilities and passenger pick-up and drop-off zones will be undertaken on both the Dera Road and GT Road sides. Dedicated parking facilities for cars, buses and two-wheelers will be developed, including arrangements to accommodate increased traffic during 'mela' days.
Ravneet Singh said the Amritsar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express marks a major boost to rail connectivity, pilgrimage tourism and passenger infrastructure. Covering 283 km in about five hours, the train is equipped with modern AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car coaches, offering world-class amenities and enhanced travel comfort.
The service is expected to strengthen the religious tourism circuit linking Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple, Sri Ram Tirath and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, while also promoting economic activity, tourism and trade in the region.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, Amritsar gets a direct Vande Bharat to Katra! The 40-minute time saving is significant. But I hope they also consider adding more trains on this route for the common passenger—Vande Bharat tickets can be pricey. Still, a welcome step for religious tourism 🙏.
The heritage preservation aspect is very thoughtful. Beas station has that old-world charm, and maintaining the façade while modernizing is the right approach. The new foot-over bridge and parking facilities will ease congestion significantly. Hope other stations in Punjab get similar attention too! 👏
This is a solid infrastructure boost for the region. The connection between Golden Temple and Mata Vaishno Devi will definitely increase pilgrimage tourism. However, I'm a bit skeptical about the footfall projections—6,166 to 19,500 seems too optimistic unless they also improve local connectivity. Let's see.
Great to see development in Punjab! The 62 crore investment for Beas is well-deserved. But I wish they'd also focus on cleanliness and security at these stations—many times the new facilities get neglected soon after inauguration. Hope the railways maintains this properly. Good start though! 👍
As someone who travels to Katra often, this is a game-changer! The 283 km in 5 hours is decent. But I hope the railway ministry also considers introducing a budget-friendly alternative on the same route—not everyone can afford Vande Bharat fares. Still, progress is progress. 🚄
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