SRINAGAR: Indian Railways will roll out commercial operations of the Vande Bharat Express between Srinagar and Katra from Friday, June 7, with ticket prices for AC Chair Car coaches starting at Rs 660. The launch not only ushers in a new era of high-speed connectivity in the region but also coincides with the formal inauguration of the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) opened bookings on Thursday for the new semi-high-speed service, revealing an affordable fare structure for what is being pitched as a premium yet accessible travel option for the region. Officials confirmed that the Srinagar-Katra route will be served by two pairs of Vande Bharat trains, numbered 26404/26403 and 26401/26402, operating six days a week with a crucial halt at Banihal.
The opening of the service is part of the larger Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, a 272-kilometre engineering feat that cost Rs 43,780 crore and includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges. The Chenab bridge, one of the world’s tallest steel arch railway bridges, is the central feature of this route and will now support regular passenger services for the first time.
For the time being, only the AC Chair Car class is open for booking, but fares for the Executive Chair Car (EC) are expected to be announced shortly. Given Vande Bharat’s usual pricing pattern, EC fares could range between Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,500, though final confirmation is awaited.
Apart from slashing travel time and offering modern onboard amenities, such as aircraft-style seating, Wi-Fi, infotainment systems, automatic doors, and GPS-based passenger information, the Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express is being seen as a cultural and logistical bridge. Katra, the base for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, attracts millions each year, and the new train offers pilgrims and tourists a faster and more comfortable journey to the Valley.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the Vande Bharat services will be extended to Jammu by September once platforms 5 and 6 at Jammu railway station are upgraded to handle the new rakes. “We are awaiting the completion of the infrastructure work. After that, the Vande Bharat trains will run seamlessly between Srinagar and Jammu,” he said during a visit to Jammu earlier this week.
Looking ahead, the Railways is also working on a long-haul version of Vande Bharat with sleeper coaches specifically designed for colder climates and extended journeys. A Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat is already on the drawing board, and trial runs will begin as soon as the new sleeper-equipped rakes are ready. According to railway officials, the future service will be faster than both the Rajdhani and the Shatabdi.
The Friday (June 7) flag-off by Prime Minister Modi will mark both a symbolic and tangible connection between Kashmir and the rest of India, fusing cutting-edge engineering with regional integration. For now, passengers can experience the journey at a modest fare of Rs 660, making high-speed travel an affordable reality in India’s northernmost territory.
