Katra-Bengaluru train from February 10

Devinder Thakur

Katra, January 29

Katra is set for its first direct rail link to Bengaluru with the weekly Yeshwanthpur-Katra Premium Express, which will have the longest route.

The train will have halts at Bellary, Guntakal, Secunderabad, Nagpur, Jhansi and New Delhi. It will cover 3,246 km in two days, eight hours and 30 minutes.

The Railways will formally introduce the superfast train from Katra on February 10. It will comprise two AC two-tier coaches, three AC three-tier coaches, 11 sleeper coaches and two luggage van coaches.

Katra Station Master Jugal Kishor said the train would depart from Katra every Tuesday at 6:30 am and reach Yeshwanthpur the following Thursday at 3 pm. He said the Katra-bound train would depart from Yeshwanthpur every Saturday at 11:30 am and reach Katra the following Monday at 7:45 pm.

He said Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu flagged off the Yeshwanthpur-Katra Superfast Express Special from the Bengaluru City station today.

The Station Master said it would reach Katra on January 31 at 11 pm. He said the Katra-Yeshwanthpur Superfast Inaugural Special would depart from Katra on February 1 at 6:30 am.

He said the train would reach Yeshwanthpur on February 3 at 3 pm. He said the train for formal inauguration would leave Yeshwanthpur on February 7.

The inauguration of the Katra-Yeshwanthpur rail link for Vaishno Devi pilgrims was welcomed by the business community in Katra. They expressed satisfaction with projects proposed for the Valley.

“After a long wait, the start of this new train is quite promising in terms of benefits to pilgrims and local residents. It will allow more people to reach the holy town of Vaishno Devi,” said Ajay Nanda, local MLA.

Katra Hotel and Restaurants Association vice-president Rakesh Wazir said the rail link would have a huge impact on local incomes, save the time of pilgrims, ease pressure and help develop tourism.