JAMMU, June 04: People of Jammu and Kashmir, along with rail enthusiasts across the country, eager to travel on the Vande Bharat Express, set to be launched by the Prime Minister on June 6, will have to wait at least two more weeks before reservations open to the general public for travel to the Kashmir Valley.
Railway officials confirm that reservations for public travel will not be available immediately following the launch.
“So far, we have not received any communication from the central railway authorities about the date when reservations will be opened for general passengers,” said Jugal Kishore Sharma, Station Master at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station, in a statement to Rising Kashmir.
He confirmed that no final decision has yet been made regarding the commencement of ticket bookings.
According to railway sources, the post-inauguration period will involve a thorough assessment of operational logistics including crew availability, driver deployment, onboard services, and station readiness. The Central Railway Information System (CRIS), IRCTC, and the newly created Jammu Railway Division are expected to jointly take the final call on the reservation timeline.
“All this assessment and study will take at least two weeks before reservations are thrown open to the public,” said an official familiar with the developments.
The Vande Bharat Express, capable of achieving speeds of up to 160 km/h, will run at a regulated speed of 100 km/h within Jammu and Kashmir due to terrain and safety considerations. Despite this, the train will significantly reduce travel time, covering the distance between Katra and Srinagar in just three hours—a major leap in connectivity for the region.
As part of the ceremonial inauguration on June 6, Prime Minister Modi is expected to travel onboard the Vande Bharat from Katra to Anji Khad, where he will inspect the newly constructed Anji Bridge—India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. He will also virtually inaugurate the second Vande Bharat train, stationed in Srinagar.
