Historic Journey Begins: PM Modi to Flag Off First Katra-Kashmir Train on April 19

PM Modi Will flag Off First Train From Katra To Kashmir : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first train from Katra, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji temple, to the valley on April 19 in the presence of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Dr. Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, among others. At present, this train runs from Sangaldan to Baramulla. The Prime Minister is scheduled to land at Udhampur Army Airport from New Delhi on the morning of April 19 and then fly to the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river in Reasi district. Prime Minister Modi will be briefed about the construction of the bridge, which is being considered a marvel of engineering. After this, the Prime Minister will reach Mata Vaishno Devi base camp Katra, from where he will flag off the Vande Bharat train to the valley. Prime Minister Modi will also address a public rally in Katra before returning to Delhi in the afternoon.

Operations will start for passengers in July-August
Railway officials said that after the completion of expansion work at Jammu railway station, including increasing the number of platforms, train operations from Jammu to the valley will start by July-August this year. Officials said that there will be no direct train from Delhi or any other part to Kashmir. Passengers will have to get down at Katra and change trains. Later, the same procedure will be followed in Jammu as well. Several trials of trains from Katra to Baramulla, including Vande Bharat Express, have been successful and security issues have also been resolved.