Jammu, June 3: India’s flagship high-speed train, the Vande Bharat Express, is set to operate between Katra and the Kashmir Valley at a speed of 100 km/h, significantly reducing the travel time between Jammu and Kashmir to under three hours.
Although the Vande Bharat is capable of reaching speeds up to 160 km/h, officials have confirmed that in Jammu & Kashmir, geographical and infrastructural constraints will limit its operational speed to 100 km/h.
“Due to hilly terrain and specific technical limitations in the region, the Vande Bharat will run at a maximum of 100 km/h between Katra and Kashmir,” said Udipan Sharma, a senior railway engineer, speaking to Rising Kashmir.
The much-anticipated train service will be officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, sources confirmed. The Prime Minister will travel onboard the Vande Bharat from Katra to Anji Khad, where he will witness the world’s highest cable-stayed railway bridge, constructed at Reasi.
Notably, several railway officials, engineers, and experts involved in building the historic bridge will accompany PM Modi on this special journey. The Prime Minister is also expected to virtually inaugurate a second Vande Bharat train stationed in Srinagar on the same day.
According to railway authorities, two Vande Bharat trains have been prepared for the launch, one stationed in Katra (Jammu) and the other in Srinagar. Both will be inaugurated simultaneously.
“At Katra, which is known as the base camp for the pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi, Modi will flag off Vande Bharat train from Katra to north Kashmir’s Baramulla and will kick off virtually another from Baramulla to Katra, signalling the completion of the project to link Kashmir by railway network,” officials said.
Jugal Kishore Sharma, Station Master at Katra, confirmed that preparations are complete.
“We are fully ready for the inauguration. All systems are in place, with foolproof security arrangements for the flag-off of Kashmir’s first high-speed train by PM Modi,” he said.
However, the officials clarified that all the passengers to and from Kashmir will have to de-board at Katra and change trains. After the inauguration, Modi will address a public rally.
