With the new Amritsar-Katra Vande Bharat Express, devotees can now visit Vaishno Devi in the morning and the Golden Temple in the evening. This train will cover the journey in 5.35 hours, operate six days a week excluding Tuesdays, and will halt at Beas, Jalandhar City, Pathankot Cantt, and Jammu Tawi.
Vande Bharat Express: There's great news for devotees in North India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the new Vande Bharat Express train running between Amritsar and Katra. With the launch of this high-speed train, passengers can now pay obeisance at the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in the morning and visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar in the evening. Equipped with modern amenities, this train will cover the distance between the two religious sites in just 5 hours and 35 minutes.
New Momentum for Religious Tourism
Until now, the journey from Katra to Amritsar took a long time on regular trains, making it almost impossible to visit both places in a single day. However, the new Vande Bharat Express will cover this distance in a much shorter time. This will not only promote religious tourism between Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab but will also make travel easier for devotees coming from all over the country.
Stations and Halts
This Vande Bharat train will halt at four major stations between Katra and Amritsar—
- Beas
- Jalandhar City
- Pathankot Cantt
- Jammu Tawi
The train will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays. This will make it easier for passengers to plan their journeys.
A Special Inauguration Day
On the occasion of the inauguration on Sunday, the train was slightly delayed from its scheduled time due to special events. Departing from Katra Railway Station at 10:50 AM, it reached Jalandhar Railway Station at 4:05 PM after stopping at various stations. After an eight-minute halt, it departed for Amritsar at 4:13 PM.
During the inauguration ceremony, colorful programs were held at several stations, including Katra, Jalandhar, Pathankot, and Amritsar. Passengers and local people enthusiastically welcomed the train's first journey.
Prime Minister's Address
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via video conferencing from KSR Railway Station in Bengaluru, also launched two more Vande Bharat trains besides the Amritsar-Katra Vande Bharat Express – one between Bengaluru and Belagavi, and another between Nagpur (Ajni) and Pune.
In his address, the Prime Minister said, "Vande Bharat trains are not only changing the image of modern India but are also giving passengers a new experience of speed, convenience, and safety. Fast connectivity between cities associated with religious and cultural heritage will strengthen tourism and the local economy."
Special Amenities for Passengers
The Amritsar-Katra Vande Bharat Express uses state-of-the-art technology and modern design to ensure passenger convenience. It offers features like automatic doors, comfortable seats, CCTV cameras in every coach, GPS-based passenger information system, bio-vacuum toilets, and improved air conditioning. From a safety perspective, the train is also equipped with a state-of-the-art braking system and fire alarm system. Despite its high speed, the journey will be extremely smooth and comfortable.
Impact on Tourism and Trade
The launch of this train will greatly boost religious tourism in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab. Both the Vaishno Devi Temple and the Golden Temple are centers of faith for millions of devotees from India and abroad. Now, devotees will be able to travel to both sites in a single day, which will not only save time but will also increase the demand for hotels, taxis, and other services.
In addition, business travelers will also benefit from this, as both Katra and Amritsar are important from a commercial point of view. Faster connectivity will facilitate the transportation of goods and ease travel for business meetings.
Enthusiasm Among Local People
The first journey of the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Amritsar was also a moment of pride for the local residents. The station in Katra was decorated with flowers and lights, while in Amritsar, passengers were welcomed with drums and traditional Bhangra-Giddha performances. Many devotees said that this train is fulfilling their long-standing wish to visit both Mata Vaishno Devi and the Golden Temple in a single day.
