Experience the Seamless Blend of Spiritual Pilgrimage and Modern Rail Travel
Explore the inaugural journey of the Vande Bharat Express connecting Amritsar to Katra, showcasing India’s engineering marvels in Jammu & Kashmir. Discover the transformative impact on pilgrimage, commerce, and local economies, highlighting the stark contrasts in infrastructure development between Indian and Pakistan-occupied regions.
Embark on a unique Indian rail journey with the Vande Bharat Express, a semi-high-speed service that connects Amritsar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. This service, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 10, 2025, offers a blend of spiritual pilgrimage routes and modern comfort. It also serves as a testament to the transformative rail infrastructure across Jammu & Kashmir.
Vande Bharat Express: Amritsar–Katra in Record Time
Experience the inaugural run of train numbers 26405/26406, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 10, 2025.
- Covers 450 km in just 5 hours and 35 minutes, shaving hours off the existing journey.
- Daily service (except Tuesdays), with halts at Beas, Jalandhar City, Pathankot Cantt, and Jammu Tawi.
- Eight-coach formation offering AC Chair Car (₹1,170) and Executive Chair Car (₹2,085). Advanced features include the Kavach automatic train protection system, automatic plug doors, CCTV surveillance, and ergonomic reclining seats for a premium travel experience.
Pilgrims travelling to the revered Vaishno Devi shrine and devotees bound for the Golden Temple now enjoy unparalleled speed, safety, and comfort.
Rail Infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir: Engineering Marvels
Over the past decade, Jammu & Kashmir’s rail map has been completely redrawn, linking remote valleys with the national network.
Chenab Rail Bridge: The world’s highest railway arch bridge—359 m above the riverbed—spanning 1,315 m as part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla link. Built to endure 260 km/h winds and 120 years of service, it is a testament to Indian engineering prowess.
Anji Khad Bridge: India's first cable-stayed rail bridge soaring 331 m above the riverbed, completed in just 11 months with 8,200 tonnes of steel and 653 km of cable strands. This structure connects Katra to Banihal, further knitting the valley into the rail grid.
Jammu Railway Division: Established as the 69th division in January 2025, overseeing 742 km of track across five sections and modernising stations from Baramulla to Katra with state-of-the-art amenities.
Full electrification, advanced signalling, and dedicated logistics hubs have redefined travel and commerce in the region, promising a bright economic future.
Freight Trains in the Valley: Economic and Agricultural Impact
For the first time on August 9, 2025, a freight train hauled 21 BCN wagons of cement from Punjab’s Rupnagar to the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed in under 18 hours, setting a new standard for efficient freight transport.
- Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry hails the service for the timely delivery of perishable horticulture produce, notably apples, directly to national markets within 24 hours, cutting costs and spoilage.
- Apple growers anticipate a game changer as transport no longer depends solely on the weather-prone Srinagar–Jammu highway, ensuring stable incomes and market access.
- Cement and construction materials delivered by rail will accelerate infrastructure projects—roads, bridges, housing—uplifting living standards across the valley.
Growth Comparison: Indian Kashmir vs Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
A Tale of Two Sides: India vs Pakistan
Infrastructure in general figures, airport counts, and educational institutions highlight the gulf in development, while Indian Kashmir’s projected 10 per cent GDP growth underscores booming economic prospects. It has 35 Universities and Colleges compared to Pakistan’s 6.
Although sharing similar Himalayan terrain, the disparity in development is stark.
On the Indian side, decades of investment have yielded:
- Expansive rail links (USBRL), modern highways, robust dams, hydropower plants, and extensive telecom networks.
- High-speed Vande Bharat services are to reduce travel times and deepen integration with the rest of India.
On the Pakistani side, the dream of even a fraction of this infrastructure remains distant. Limited railways, patchy roads, few dams, nascent hydropower projects, and underdeveloped communication networks. Residents often watch from the other side of the Line of Control, feeling left behind and yearning for similar civic facilities, connectivity and livelihood.
India’s Proud Achievement: Connecting the Kashmir Valley
From the first trains to the world’s highest rail bridge, India has woven the Kashmir Valley into its national tapestry. The Amritsar–Katra Vande Bharat Express symbolises more than speed—it represents spiritual unity, economic opportunity, and pride in engineering and integration. For rail enthusiasts, pilgrims, and tourists alike, the journey through the Pir Panjal and along the Jhelum is now not just possible, but unforgettable.
Pack your bags—Kashmir by rail awaits.
