Last week, as former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah stepped off the Vande Bharat Express at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station, he told reporters that his eyes welled up while crossing the Chenab Bridge — the world’s highest railway bridge. 

“The day has finally come when we can travel to the rest of the country by train,” he said, visibly moved by the moment.

Overwhelming response

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kashmir rail link project, connecting the Valley with the rest of the country on June 6, the Katra- Srinagar Vande Bhart trains are receiving an overwhelming response from the travellers with many scrambling to secure tickets. 

“All tickets are sold out through June”, said a travel agent in Srinagar. 

He said that it appeared to be emerging as a preferred mode of travel. 

Jugal Kishore Sharma, Station Superintendent, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Station told businessline that the Vande Bharat Express trains were booked for the next 15 days. 

He said that since its launch on June 6, at least 25,000 people travelled on the Vande Baharat Express trains. 

The passengers, who took the train, shared positive reviews of their ride, describing it as smooth and comfortable.

 “The travel is not only comfortable but also offers a wonderful scenic view through the awe-inspiring Pir Panjal mountain range”, said Zahid Ahmad, a traveller. 

He said the three-hour-long journey was peaceful and filled with stunning landscapes, making it an experience to remember.

An all-weather journey 

The journey via fair-weather Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was weary and frequently disrupted by recurring landslides and other natural obstacles. 

“The railroad not only offers a round-the year alternative, but also saves the travel time”, said Mohamamd Aquib , a businessman from Kashmir. 

Katra- Srinagar section is part of the 272 kms long Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, which connected the Valley of Kashmir with the rest of country for the first time. 

The project was taken up in 1990s, but it was heavily delayed by regional unrest and the area’s complex geology and terrain. Eventually completed at a cost of around ₹43,780 crore, it includes 36 tunnels stretching over 119 km and 943 bridges.

Published on June 13, 2025