Vande Bharat train adds more stops in Kashmir: What changes for passengers?

Srinagar: Good news for rail travellers in Jammu and Kashmir as the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express has started halting at Reasi railway station for the first time. Flagged off by Reasi MLA Kuldeep Raj Dubey on Tuesday, the addition of this stop addresses persistent public demand and promises greater convenience for residents and visitors.

The train departs from Katra at 08:10 am and reaches Reasi at 08:28 am, continuing to Srinagar. The return journey includes a stop at 17:34 pm. Previously, Banihal was the only intermediate stop between Katra and Srinagar.

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Officials, including DDC Chairman Saraf Singh Nag and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal, highlighted that this stop will benefit pilgrims travelling to Mata Vaishno Devi, tourists visiting the Chenab Bridge, and the broader community of Reasi and nearby areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on 6 June 2025, marking the first rail service connecting the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region via the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge.

The inclusion of Reasi as a stop on the Vande Bharat Express is a historic milestone in rail connectivity for Jammu and Kashmir. Over 500 locals gathered at Reasi station to witness the flagging-off ceremony. The stop strengthens regional transport links and supports tourism development in the Chenab Valley.

The train service, inaugurated in June 2025, provides a fast and modern link between Katra and Srinagar. With this new stop, passengers from Reasi can now conveniently access both the valley and the Jammu region. Railway officials emphasised that this decision was made in response to sustained public demand and is expected to enhance travel efficiency for pilgrims, daily commuters, and tourists alike.