PM Modi Flags Off Amritsar–Katra Vande Bharat Express

12 Aug 2025 CW Team

Boost to Tourism & Trade

Highlighting the significance of the launch, the Prime Minister said, “The trains will boost tourism, commerce and connectivity.” The Vande Bharat Express aims to cut travel time, improve passenger comfort, and strengthen economic links between Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.

Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu noted that the service will facilitate spiritual travel for devotees visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and also stimulate tourism and trade. Passengers boarding from Pathankot, Jalandhar, and Beas will also benefit from the improved connectivity. The train will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays.

Schedule & Features

The train departs Katra at 6:40 am and reaches Amritsar by 12:20 pm, with stops at Jammu Tawi, Pathankot Cantt, Jalandhar City, and Beas. The return service leaves Amritsar at 4:25 pm and reaches Katra at 10:00 pm, enabling same-day round trips.

Equipped with modern amenities such as automatic doors, onboard Wi-Fi, infotainment screens, reclining seats, bio-vacuum toilets, GPS tracking, and the Kavach safety system, the Vande Bharat offers both comfort and safety. With this launch, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir now each have five Vande Bharat trains, totalling 10 services.

Local Impact

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, stating that the train will ease travel for pilgrims and contribute to the region’s economic growth.

On the freight front, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Javed Ahmed Tenga said the timely arrival of the first freight train in Anantnag will support the swift delivery of horticulture produce from Kashmir.

News source: The New Indian Express

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, virtually from Bengaluru, flagged off the Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express, a day after the first freight train from Punjab arrived in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The new high-speed passenger service is expected to enhance regional connectivity, promote tourism, and provide a world-class travel experience.Boost to Tourism & TradeHighlighting the significance of the launch, the Prime Minister said, “The trains will boost tourism, commerce and connectivity.” The Vande Bharat Express aims to cut travel time, improve passenger comfort, and strengthen economic links between Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu noted that the service will facilitate spiritual travel for devotees visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and also stimulate tourism and trade. Passengers boarding from Pathankot, Jalandhar, and Beas will also benefit from the improved connectivity. The train will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays.Schedule & FeaturesThe train departs Katra at 6:40 am and reaches Amritsar by 12:20 pm, with stops at Jammu Tawi, Pathankot Cantt, Jalandhar City, and Beas. The return service leaves Amritsar at 4:25 pm and reaches Katra at 10:00 pm, enabling same-day round trips.Equipped with modern amenities such as automatic doors, onboard Wi-Fi, infotainment screens, reclining seats, bio-vacuum toilets, GPS tracking, and the Kavach safety system, the Vande Bharat offers both comfort and safety. With this launch, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir now each have five Vande Bharat trains, totalling 10 services.Local ImpactLieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, stating that the train will ease travel for pilgrims and contribute to the region’s economic growth.On the freight front, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Javed Ahmed Tenga said the timely arrival of the first freight train in Anantnag will support the swift delivery of horticulture produce from Kashmir.News source: The New Indian Express

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..