Indian Railways has revised the schedule of the country’s second Vande Bharat Express train – New Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra Vande Bharat Express. The national transporter has revised the schedule for train number 22440, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra – New Delhi Vande Bharat Express. The train will now depart five minutes earlier than its previously scheduled time.
The Northern Railways in the statement said, “It is notified for the information of the general public that due to operational reasons, the timing of train no. 22440 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra- New Delhi Vande Bharat express train will be revised from 18.03.2024.”
“The 22440 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra- New Delhi Vande Bharat Express train will depart from Katra at 14:55 hrs instead of 15:00 hrs to reach at Jammu Tawi at 16:08 hrs instead of 16:13 hrs. It will depart from Jammu Tawi at 16:10 hrs instead of 16:15 for its onwards journey. The timing of this train onwards Jammu Tawi will remain unchanged,” it added.
Route of New Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express
The second Vande Bharat Express train in India links the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with Delhi, running between New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra. Operated and maintained by the Northern Railway (NR) zone, this train serves as a crucial transportation link between the capital and the revered pilgrimage site.
Stoppages of New Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express
22439/22440 New Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express stops at four railway stations – Ambala Cant Junction, Ludhiana Junction, Pathankot Cantonment, and Jammu Tawi.
Frequency of New Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express
The Vande Bharat Express, with train numbers 22439/22440, operates six days a week, excluding Wednesdays, between New Delhi and SVDK, Katra. Featuring 16 cars, the train offers two seating options: AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car.
Timings of New Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express
The semi-high speed train’s departure from Katra will be at 14:55 hrs, five minutes earlier than its previous schedule, to arrive at Jammu Tawi by 16:08 hrs, five minutes earlier than before. Subsequently, it will depart from Jammu Tawi at 16:10 hrs instead of 16:15 for its onward journey. However, the train’s timing for the onward journey to Jammu Tawi will remain unchanged.
The introduction of this semi-high-speed train has significantly bolstered religious tourism. The distinctive blue and white train is playing a pivotal role in the development and advancement of the Union Territory.
The train made its debut on October 3, 2019, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and then Railway Minister Piyush Goyal present for the inaugural ceremony. The coaches for this train were locally manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.