Did PM Modi Just Transform Travel for Devotees with the Amritsar-Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Train?

New Delhi/Katra, Aug 10 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Amritsar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Train service on Sunday.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (PMO), remarked that this marks a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir, attributing the achievement to PM Modi.

MoS Singh emphasized that this service will facilitate easier travel for devotees journeying from various regions of the country to visit the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, Jammu.

J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed appreciation to the Prime Minister for dedicating the Vande Bharat Train service connecting Amritsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Station.

“The newly launched Vande Bharat Train will provide significant ease of travel for devotees of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and will also stimulate the local economy,” stated the L-G.

He noted that the transport infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in terms of railways, has experienced remarkable advancement under the Prime Minister's leadership. He pointed out that the first freight train reached Anantnag from Punjab on Saturday, marking a key milestone for the transport infrastructure and trade in the Kashmir valley.

The Lieutenant Governor shared on X: "I am grateful to Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji for flagging off the Vande Bharat Train connecting Amritsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Station. J&K's transport infrastructure, especially in railways, has seen remarkable progress under the Hon'ble PM's leadership. The new Vande Bharat Train will simplify travel for Mata Vaishno Devi devotees and enhance the local economy. Additionally, the first freight train arrived in Anantnag from Punjab, marking a significant milestone in the transport infrastructure and trade of the Kashmir Valley."

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra - Amritsar Vande Bharat Express Train will leave Katra at 6:40 a.m. and arrive in Amritsar by 12:20 p.m. on the same day. On its return, the Amritsar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express will depart at 4:25 p.m. and reach Katra by 10 p.m.

This train will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays.

Currently, the Vande Bharat train service runs from Katra to Baramulla, and by the end of the year, it will also operate from Jammu railway station, making future travels even smoother.

The arrival of the freight train in Anantnag on Saturday, carrying cement for infrastructure projects, is expected to boost the local economy by facilitating cheaper and easier transportation of goods, operating continuously.

At present, goods transported to and from the Valley rely on trucks via the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, which is often unpredictable, particularly during the rainy season when it is prone to landslides and road blockages, stranding vehicles with essential goods for days.

This disruption significantly affects traders, especially with perishable items like fruits, vegetables, poultry, and mutton, leading to considerable losses.

The challenges faced by Kashmiri traders will diminish with the regular operation of goods trains between the Valley and the rest of the country.

The largest industry in Kashmir is horticulture, primarily focused on apple production, which stands to gain significantly from the introduction of goods trains to the region.