Valley may get some more trains after some time
*Panel reaches Valley after inspecting Anji, Chenab bridges
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 15: With completion of expansion work at Jammu Railway Station around September this year, some trains running between Delhi to Katra are expected to be extended up to Srinagar fulfilling demands from various organizations in Kashmir for increasing number of trains to the Kashmir valley due to heavy rush with waiting tickets of several days in two Vande Bharat trains currently operating from Katra to Srinagar.
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A detailed schedule of the trains which will be extended from Jammu, Udhampur or Katra to Srinagar will be worked out when expansion work is complete at Jammu Railway Station and Vande Bharat trains start running from Jammu to Srinagar instead of Katra to Srinagar.
Officials told the Excelsior that security on Katra-Srinagar track is being regularly monitored by the senior officers and adjustments are being made depending upon the findings but everything has been working well as per the plan. Two Vande Bharat trains are operating from Katra to Srinagar but they haven’t been able to cope up with the rush resulting into demand from various organizations to increase number of trains to the Valley.
“There is a possibility that when the expansion work is completed and Vande Bharat trains start running from Jammu instead of Katra, a couple of trains running from Delhi to Jammu, Udhampur or Katra, may be extended to Srinagar,” they said.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Railway visited Katra Railway Station this morning and had detailed interaction with senior officers.
Headed by Dr CM Ramesh, Chairperson, the Committee was briefed by the senior Railway officers on Katra-Srinagar-Baramulla rail project including functioning of Anji Khad bridge, India’s first cable stayed Railway bridge and Chenab bridge, the highest rail bridge in the world, in Reasi district.
“Operations of trains from Katra to New Delhi and Srinagar, facilities for passengers etc came up for review during meeting of the PSC with the Railway officers,” the sources said, adding the meeting lasted an hour.
Later, the PSC left for Srinagar in a special Vande Bharat train. They had halt at Anji Khad bridge, Chenab rail bridge and Sangaldan Railway Station enroute where they were again briefed by the Railway officers.
The PSC members reviewed the status of tunnel construction, bridge maintenance, and commuter facilities on the Katra-Srinagar rail route. They assessed infrastructure at Katra.
The visit follows the recent launch of the Vande Bharat Express connecting Katra and Srinagar with inauguration of first train by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6.
The Railway authorities gave updates to the PSC on structural conditions of bridges, road over bridges, and road underpasses. Emphasis was placed on safety measures adopted for the Anji bridge and Chenab bridge.
The PSC also evaluated passenger amenities at stations along the route, including the strategic Sangaldan halt, which is part of the Vande Bharat network. The members assessed not just infrastructure, but also passenger safety features and the digital systems now integrated into station operations.
Their visit forms part of a broader series of high-level inspections in the Union Territory aimed at streamlining operations and preparing for increased rail traffic in the region, the officials said.
“With increasing demand for rail connectivity in northern India, especially in areas affected by terrain and seasonal challenges, the focus on bridge safety, real-time monitoring, and passenger convenience reflects a commitment to long-term sustainability,” the officials said.
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