Jammu: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday confirmed that passengers will have to go for transhipment at Katra railway station once the commercial operation begins for the Srinagar line.
Addressing a virtual press conference, the minister said that for transhipment the next train will be available at the same platform where the train stops. “This practice is already in place in many countries. People will continue their onward journey on the same ticket but will have to change the train because the upward train is designed for Srinagar temperature,” the minister said.
Ashwani Vaishnaw said that all the tests on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla-Railway-Line (USBRL) have been done and the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has submitted his report, which is being evaluated. “Soon the commercial operation between Katra and Srinagar will start and after that once the Jammu station work is completed, trains will run between Srinagar and Jammu,” he informed.
“The timetable of the Srinagar bound Vande Bharat will be up to Jammu railway station but as the expansion work is currently being executed at Jammu Tawi railway station, which is expected to be completed by August-September, that Vande Bharat will run between Srinagar and Katra and after that it will be extended upto Jammu,” the minister added.
The Minister provided an update on the UT specific provisions in the Union Budget 2025 related to railway infrastructure and development projects.
The minister informed that a budget allocation of Rs. 844 crore has been earmarked for Jammu & Kashmir, underscoring the government’s commitment to further enhancing railway infrastructure and connectivity in the region.
During the conference, Vaishnaw provided an update on key railway infrastructure and development projects in Jammu & Kashmir. He announced that all necessary testing processes for the much-awaited Katra-Srinagar railway line have been completed, and commercial operations will commence soon. He further highlighted the ongoing redevelopment of Jammu Railway Station, stating that once completed, direct railway connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar will be operational.
The minister emphasized the significant progress made in railway electrification, noting that since 2014, a total of 344 km of railway tracks have been electrified, making Jammu & Kashmir 100% electrified. Addressing a query regarding the need for passengers to change trains at Jammu Railway Station for onward travel to Srinagar, Vaishnaw explained that this requirement arises due to the varying terrain and climatic conditions. The redevelopment of Jammu Railway Station is being planned with these factors in mind to ensure seamless travel.
Providing financial and developmental insights, the Union Minister stated that since 2014, a total of 135 km of new railway tracks have been constructed in Jammu & Kashmir, improving regional connectivity and accessibility. He also informed that four major railway stations Budgam, Jammu Tawi, Katra, and Udhampur are being developed as ‘Amrit Stations’ at a total cost of Rs. 292.5 crore, enhancing passenger amenities and station infrastructure.
The budgetary allocation and development projects reaffirm the government’s dedication to modernizing railway infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir, fostering economic growth, and improving connectivity in the region, Vaishnaw further added.