Indian Railways plans 20-coach upgrade for Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat

Indian Railways plans 20-coach upgrade for Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat

In response to overwhelming passenger demand, Indian Railways is planning to significantly increase the number of coaches on the highly popular Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express. Originally launched with an eight-coach rake, the train is now set to be upgraded to a 20-coach configuration to accommodate the growing number of travellers on this scenic and strategically vital route.

Official sources said the decision was taken following the exceptionally positive response received since the train’s inauguration.

“Since the launch of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, Northern Railway has been witnessing an overwhelming response from passengers. The train has consistently been running at full capacity,” officials stated.

The surge in demand has been attributed to several factors, including its cost-effectiveness compared to air travel, punctuality, high-quality onboard catering, enhanced safety features and overall travel comfort. The train has emerged as a preferred mode of transport for pilgrims, tourists, business travellers and local commuters alike.

The enhanced capacity is expected to further strengthen rail connectivity in the region while ensuring a more comfortable and accessible journey. The expansion aims to improve passenger convenience, increase seating availability, reduce waitlists, and meet the surging travel demand between Katra and Srinagar — particularly during peak pilgrimage and tourist seasons.

The train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6 last year. A key highlight of the route is the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, standing at an impressive height of 359 metres above the riverbed. The bridge is regarded as a major engineering milestone and a symbol of India’s infrastructural advancement.

Adding to the passenger experience, the train offers authentic, locally inspired vegetarian cuisine. On the northbound journey, passengers are served traditional Dogri specialities from Jammu, while the return journey features flavours from Kashmiri cuisine. The thoughtfully curated menu includes dishes such as rajma, haak saag, paneer chaman, dum aloo, and kahwa — showcasing the rich, home-style culinary heritage of the region and promoting local food traditions.

Each year, thousands of devotees visit the revered Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra. The Vande Bharat Express has significantly enhanced accessibility for pilgrims by providing a seamless, faster and more comfortable travel option compared to traditional road journeys.

Unlike other trains of its kind, this Vande Bharat Express has been specially engineered to operate in the harsh Himalayan winter conditions. It runs smoothly even in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. Features such as heated windshields, advanced heating systems, insulated bio-toilets, and automatic doors ensure year-round operational reliability and passenger comfort.

Supporting operations on this challenging terrain is a dedicated snow-removal train that clears tracks ahead of scheduled services, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity even during heavy snowfall. Additionally, seismic dampers have been installed along vulnerable sections to absorb tremors, enhancing safety and ride stability in this seismically sensitive zone.