Katra-Amritsar Vande Bharat Express to run soon via Gurdaspur-Batala

Jammu, Mar 24: Continuing its commitment to providing enhanced amenities to passengers, the Jammu Railway Division of Northern Railway has announced a major change in the route of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Amritsar Vande Bharat Express with operations set to commence shortly.

This premium train will now operate via Gurdaspur and Batala, instead of via Jalandhar city.

“A glance at the timetable for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar Vande Bharat Express (train number 26406) reveals that the train will depart from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 6.40 am and arrive in Amritsar at 11.40 am on the same day,” stated Raghvender Singh, Public Relations Inspector, Jammu Railway Division.

On its return journey, the Vande Bharat Express (train number 26405) will depart from Amritsar at 4.40 pm and reach Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 9.45 pm on the same day.

Along its route, the train, according to Singh, will continue to make scheduled stops – in both the up and down directions – at the railway stations of Jammu, Pathankot Cantt, Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Batala.

Citing the key highlights of this route change, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM), Uchit Singhal, said that it would provide passengers traveling between Amritsar and Jammu with faster, more comfortable, and direct connectivity, while simultaneously reducing the longer travel distance previously incurred via the Jalandhar route.

“This change will extend the service of a modern train like the Vande Bharat Express to the regions of Batala and Gurdaspur, thereby benefiting both pilgrims and local residents,” he said.

Uchit Singhal stated that the decision was taken with the aim of directly benefiting premium-class passengers and making their travel experience even more convenient.

“In view of overwhelming passenger demand and for their greater convenience, the route of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar Vande Bharat Express has been revised. The train will now operate via Batala and Gurdaspur, rather than Jalandhar city. This modification will directly benefit passengers residing in the border regions and will also result in reduced travel time. Our objective is to provide passengers with a safe and world-class travel experience in the shortest possible time,” Singhal maintained.

In a related development, changes have also been made to the scheduled halts of train number 19223 and 19224. This train will stop at Pathankot Cantt instead of Pathankot City.

Singhal asked the passengers to verify the precise details regarding the train, including its schedule and halts via the official Railway website, NTES, or by dialling 139 prior to commencing their journey.