Jammu, Oct 29: In a significant milestone for the people of Reasi district, the Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express stopped for the first time at Reasi Railway Station on Wednesday, marking a new chapter in rail connectivity in the Valley.
On this special occasion, the train was flagged off by the Honorable MLA, Reasi, Mr. Kuldeep Raj Dubey, during a ceremony. DDC Chairman Reasi, Mr. Saraf Singh Nag, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Uchit Singhal, and other senior railway officials were present on the occasion, and an enthusiastic crowd of over 500 local residents gathered to witness this historic moment.
Starting tomorrow, the Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express, train number 26401/26402, will have a two-minute stop at Reasi railway station.
The train will depart from Katra railway station at 08:10 am and arrive at Reasi railway station at 08:28 am. It will then continue its journey towards Srinagar. Similarly, train number 26402 will return to Reasi railway station at 16:34 pm.
This semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express had only one intermediate stop – Banihal – between Katra and Srinagar.
Sr. DCM, Jammu Division, Mr. Uchit Singhal, said, “The introduction of the stop at Reasi is a direct result of persistent public demand and aims to enhance travel convenience for passengers from Reasi and surrounding areas.”
The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, on June 6, 2025, has marked a milestone in the history of Indian Railways. It has become the first rail service to connect the Kashmir Valley with the Jammu region via the world’s highest railway bridge – the Chenab Bridge.
Since its inception, the train has received immense praise for its speed, comfort, and reliability. Adding Reasi as a stopover will further strengthen the region’s connectivity, benefiting pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and tourists visiting the Chenab Bridge and surrounding tourist destinations.
