Passengers traveling between Kashmir and New Delhi will need to change trains at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Railway Station in Katra, according to railway officials citing security concerns.
Trains arriving from or heading to Srinagar will terminate at Katra, requiring passengers to transfer to another train for the onward journey.
Officials explained that all passengers will disembark at platform number 1 in Katra, exit the station, and have their luggage re-scanned before boarding a new train to continue their journey.
“The same train will not proceed further. Passengers must wait for the next scheduled service to complete their travel,” they stated.
Northern Railways has already announced the schedule for train services between SMVD Katra and Srinagar, effective December 31. The timetable includes one Vande Bharat Express and two Mail Express trains running daily in both directions.
The Vande Bharat Express is scheduled to depart Katra at 8:10 AM, arriving in Srinagar at 11:20 AM. Mail Express trains will leave Katra at 9:50 AM and 3:00 PM, reaching Srinagar at 1:10 PM and 6:20 PM, respectively. Return services from Srinagar include departures at 8:45 AM, 12:45 PM, and 3:05 PM, arriving in Katra at 12:05 PM, 3:55 PM, and 6:30 PM.
The inauguration of train services to Kashmir is anticipated on January 13, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Srinagar to inaugurate the Z-Morh Tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.