Vande Bharat arrives on its inaugural run from Katra

On its inaugural run, the Vande Bharat train from Katra in Jammu and Kashmir chugged in at the Amritsar railway station today evening, getting a warm welcome from passengers, political leaders and railway officials.

The Vande Bharat train starting between Amritsar to Katra will run six days a week (except Tuesday) and its primary maintenance will be done in Sahibabad. It will leave from Katra at 6.40 am and reach Amritsar at 12.20 pm. On the return journey, this train will leave from Amritsar at 4.25 pm and reach Katra at 10 pm.

Apart from senior railway officials, MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, BJP Punjab working president Ashwani Sharma, former Punjab BJP president Shwait Malik, MLA Vijay Pratap, former Cabinet Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla and Ferozepur Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Sanjeev Kumar accorded it a warm welcome. The train will increase the mobility of tourists arriving from the rest of the country to the holy city and the mountainous state, preferred for its abundant sight-seeing places. Malik informed that he had demanded an air-conditioned train between Amritsar-Katra in Parliament in 2021.

Vande Bharat has been developed as a semi high-speed train. It is also the first train to be completely designed and manufactured in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The train can gain a speed of 160 km per hour. However, its design speed is 180 km per hour.

The seats in the train are designed to be comfortable and convenient with adjustable head rests and leg rests, which make long journeys comfortable. Special attention has been paid to the cleanliness of the train. Every coach and toilet is cleaned regularly, giving passengers a clean and fresh travel experience, said railway officials. Wireless charging ports are available near every seat.

The design of the train is a fusion of Indian culture and modernity while its interior decoration and facilities provide a premium experience. High quality food is provided to the passengers in the train by a special catering service while providing voice command system, which helps passengers to use various facilities of the train.

A release issued here today by the railways quoted Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu stating that several new railway projects will soon commence, including the development of new rail lines, improved connectivity, construction of road over bridges (ROBs) and road under bridges (RUBs), as well as the redevelopment of railway stations.

“The PM has a grand vision for Punjab, and his deep affection for the people of the state is clearly reflected in the railway initiatives being undertaken,” said Bittu.