Srinagar: Northern Railway has announced the train timings for the highly anticipated Katra-Srinagar route, which is expected to be inaugurated after January 20.
“The new train services will provide a significant boost to connectivity between Katra and Srinagar, further enhancing travel options for commuters,” reads the details available with the news agency JKNS.
According to the newly released schedule, the Vande Bharat Express will depart from Katra at 8:10 a.m. and is scheduled to reach Srinagar at 11:20 a.m. Additionally, the Mail Express trains will run twice daily, with departures from Katra at 9:50 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., arriving in Srinagar at 1:10 p.m. and 6:20 p.m., respectively.
On the return leg, the Mail Express will depart from Srinagar at 8:55 a.m. and 3:10 p.m., reaching Katra at 12:05 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Vande Bharat Express will also run in the opposite direction, departing Srinagar at 12:45 p.m. and arriving in Katra at 3:55 p.m.
Notably, the much-awaited Katra-Srinagar rail link is a part of the larger Udhampur-Srinagar-Batamulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which has been hailed as an engineering marvel. The USBRL project is seen as one of the most challenging railway infrastructure developments globally, with the Chenab Rail Bridge standing as a testament to this feat.
Moreover, the bridge, located between Bakkal and Kauri in Reasi district, is the highest rail bridge in the world, soaring 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the Chenab River. It also holds the distinction of being the highest arch bridge worldwide.
It is worth mentioning, the Chenab Rail Bridge was completed and inaugurated in August 2022 and plays a crucial role in the connectivity provided by the USBRL. This rail link is expected to revolutionize transportation in the region, bringing a major uplift to tourism, trade, horticulture, and education, while changing the travel landscape for residents and visitors to the Kashmir Valley.—(JKNS)
