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Key Points

The new Vande Bharat Express from Amritsar to Katra will significantly reduce travel time for pilgrims visiting Maa Vaishno Devi shrine. PM Modi inaugurated the train virtually, highlighting its convenience and comfort. BJP leader Ashwani Sharma praised the initiative, calling it a boost for devotees. The service is especially beneficial for elderly pilgrims who previously faced long and tiring journeys.

Key Points: Amritsar Katra Vande Bharat Express Launched by PM Modi

  • PM Modi virtually inaugurates Amritsar-Katra Vande Bharat Express
  • Train completes journey in just 5 hours 35 minutes
  • Service to benefit elderly pilgrims with faster travel
  • BJP leader Ashwani Sharma praises Modi and Vaishnaw for the initiative
2 min read

New route, new hope: Vande Bharat links Punjab to Katra in record time

New Vande Bharat train connects Amritsar to Katra in 5.5 hours, offering pilgrims faster and comfortable travel to Maa Vaishno Devi shrine.

"The Vande Bharat train from Amritsar to Maa Vaishno Devi’s shrine will boost devotion and enthusiasm among pilgrims. – Ashwani Sharma"

Jalandhar, Aug 10

A new Vande Bharat Express train connecting Amritsar to the holy shrine of Maa Vaishno Devi at Katra will start operating from August 11. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the train virtually on Sunday from Bengaluru by waving the green flag online.

The train, numbered 26405/26406, will depart from Amritsar daily (except Tuesdays) at 4:25 p.m. under the Northern Railway zone. It will reach Jalandhar at 5.31 p.m. with a 2-minute halt before arriving at Katra by 10 p.m., completing the journey in just 5 hours and 35 minutes. This fast and comfortable service will provide pilgrims a time-saving and convenient travel option.

The route of the train will cover Amritsar, Beas, Jalandhar City, Pathankot Cantt, Jammu Tawi, and then Katra. This will be the first Vande Bharat service connecting Amritsar to Katra, adding to the existing popular Vande Bharat trains running on the Delhi-Katra and Katra-Srinagar routes.

Ashwani Sharma, the newly appointed working president of BJP in Punjab, who travelled on the train during its trial run, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for launching this service. He said the train will generate great enthusiasm among devotees traveling to Maa Vaishno Devi’s shrine.

A local woman welcomed the launch, saying this is a great start for the elderly in Punjab who travel to religious places mostly for darshan. She noted that the long travel duration and overcrowding in other trains often cause difficulties for senior citizens.

With this luxury Vande Bharat train covering the distance in 5.5 hours, pilgrims will save significant travel time and enjoy a comfortable journey.

Currently, 144 Vande Bharat trains are operational across India. The project was first launched in 2019 between New Delhi and Varanasi and has since expanded to various parts of the country.

Talking to media persons, Ashwani Sharma said: "The Vande Bharat train from Amritsar to Maa Vaishno Devi’s shrine will boost devotion and enthusiasm among pilgrims. We thank PM Modi and Railway Minister Vaishnaw for this facility."

"This train is a boon for Punjab’s elderly pilgrims who struggle with long and crowded journeys on other trains. The new service will save their time and ensure a comfortable ride," said a passenger.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who travels frequently between Punjab and Jammu, I'm thrilled about this development. The existing trains are always overcrowded. Hope they maintain the cleanliness and punctuality standards promised.
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Ananya R
Good initiative but the ticket prices should be reasonable. Most pilgrims are middle-class families who save for years to make this journey. Hope railways keeps affordability in mind along with comfort.
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Vikram M
The route planning is excellent! Covering major cities like Jalandhar and Pathankot will benefit so many devotees. Just hope they increase frequency soon as demand will be very high during Navratri season.
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Kavya N
My mother is 72 and always wanted to visit Vaishno Devi but we were worried about her comfort. This train is a blessing for senior citizens like her. Thank you Indian Railways for thinking about our elders ❤️
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Michael C
Impressive infrastructure development! The 5.5 hour timing is remarkable compared to regular trains. I hope they extend similar services to other pilgrimage routes across India too.
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Priya S
While I appreciate the new train, I wish they had included more stops in Himachal too. Many devotees from Shimla and Kangra also travel to Katra regularly. Maybe in phase 2?

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