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| Omar boards Vande Bharat Express, shares pictures | | |  Atul Sharma
Jammu, June 19: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah travelled on the newly launched Vande Bharat Express from Srinagar to Katra today, marking a historic milestone in the region’s rail connectivity. Accompanied by advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Abdullah boarded the semi-high-speed train at Nowgam Railway Station at 7:32 PM IST, heading to Katra before continuing to Jammu.
The Vande Bharat Express, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, covers the 190-kilometer Srinagar-Katra route in just three hours, slashing travel time compared to the 6-7 hour road journey. Designed to withstand Kashmir’s harsh winters, the train boasts advanced features like heated windscreens, thermally insulated lavatories, and the KAVACH collision avoidance system. Passengers enjoy modern amenities, including reclining seats and WiFi connectivity.
Abdullah’s journey follows his father, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who rode the same route on June 10, praising its role in integrating Kashmir with India’s rail network.
Speaking at the train’s launch on June 6, Omar called the rail link a “dream realized,” crediting its origins to plans from the British era and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s vision in 1982. The 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), featuring the iconic Chenab Bridge, has brought this vision to life.
Greeted by National Conference leaders at Katra station, Abdullah highlighted the train’s potential to boost tourism, pilgrimage to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, and trade by offering a reliable alternative to the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
Sharing his experience on X, he posted, “Time to head to Jammu #VandeBharat #vandebharatexpress #traintravel,” alongside visuals of the journey.
Operating six days a week with stops at Banihal, Reasi, Sangaldan, Qazigund, and Anantnag, the Vande Bharat Express is set to transform travel in Jammu and Kashmir. As part of the “Make in India” initiative, it strengthens regional connectivity and signals a new era of economic and social integration. |
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