Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express commences halt at Reasi
Train will now have a two-minute scheduled halt at Reasi station
A Vande Bharat train being flagged-off from the Reasi railway station after the new stoppage was introduced here on the demand of local residents.
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In a major boost to rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, the Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express made its first-ever halt at Reasi railway station on Wednesday, fulfilling a long-pending demand of the local residents.
An official spokesperson described the development as a “significant milestone” for the people of Reasi district, marking a new chapter in the region’s rail network.
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The train was ceremoniously flagged off by Reasi MLA Kuldeep Raj Dubey, in the presence of District Development Council Chairman Saraf Singh Nag, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal, other senior railway officials, and around 500 local residents.
The Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 26401/26402) will now have a two-minute scheduled halt at Reasi station. As per the revised timetable, the train will depart from Katra at 8:10 am and reach Reasi at 8:28 am, before continuing its journey towards Srinagar. On the return leg, the train will arrive at Reasi at 4:34 pm. Previously, the semi-high-speed train had only one intermediate stop — Banihal — between Katra and Srinagar.
Speaking on the occasion, Uchit Singhal said, “The inclusion of Reasi as a stop is a direct result of persistent public demand. It aims to improve travel convenience for passengers from Reasi and nearby areas.”
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Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6 this year, the Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express holds the distinction of being the first train service to connect the Kashmir Valley with the Jammu region.
“Since its launch, the Vande Bharat Express has been lauded for its speed, comfort, and reliability,” Singhal added. “The addition of Reasi as a stop will further enhance regional connectivity, benefitting pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine as well as tourists exploring the nearby destinations.”
Meanwhile, Northern Railways is working toward establishing direct rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country. According to Singhal, efforts are underway to address operational and security challenges to achieve this next milestone in Jammu and Kashmir’s rail development.
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