Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently flagged off the first-ever train from Katra to Srinagar following the inauguration of the world's highest rail arch bridge in India.
Notably, this bridge will provide access to various rail routes, resulting in the commencement of various routes to Jammu, Srinagar, and Katra.
It is to be mentioned that the Indian Railways have announced direct rail service between Jammu and Srinagar on June 7, 2025. The Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishav, who recently visited Jammu and Kashmir, has announced that the Indian Railways will start the above-mentioned route following the commencement of the work at Jammu Railway Station.
It is expected that the new project will be operational by the end of September 2025. While addressing the reporters, the Railway Minister mentioned that the construction work of the project has been ongoing at a rapid pace, and it is hopefully expected that the work will be completed by the month of September.
The minister further continued saying that the train will directly run between Jammu and Kashmir from platforms 5 and 6 following the completion of the project.
The Inauguration of Katra and Srinagar -
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the eagerly awaited train service between Katra and Srinagar on June 6. This isn’t just the launch of a train — it’s the bridging of distances, dreams, and decades of waiting.
For now, the service will begin with a single train shuttling between Katra and Srinagar. But the bigger picture is even more promising: by September, a direct train from New Delhi to Srinagar is expected to roll out — a move that could reshape travel and trade in the region.
Saqib Yusuf, Chief Area Manager of Northern Railway Srinagar, explained that passengers coming from Delhi will be able to travel seamlessly to Srinagar with just a brief halt at Katra. Currently, six trains run between New Delhi and Katra. For those eager to explore the Valley, the Galta Dham Puja Express, departing from New Delhi at 10:10 pm, connects smoothly with the onward train to Srinagar.
The upcoming Delhi-Srinagar direct rail link is being hailed as a game-changer — one that could breathe new life into local tourism, streamline transport, and bring the people of the Valley closer to the rest of India, not just in kilometers but in spirit.