Overview

• Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah boarded the Vande Bharat Express at Nowgam Railway Station on June 19, traveling to Katra with advisor Nasir Aslam Wani.
• The journey followed Farooq Abdullah’s inaugural Srinagar-to-Katra ride on June 10, marking back-to-back high-profile trips.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the semi-high-speed service on June 6 and operations began June 7, running six days a week through 36 tunnels and 943 bridges to link the Kashmir Valley with Jammu’s Katra.
• Climate-adapted coaches feature heated windshields and seismic dampers to ensure safe travel through extreme weather and seismic zones.
• Most services are fully booked, reflecting strong public demand and widespread political praise for the enhanced regional connectivity.