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

05 Nov 2025

TBO Tek Q2 Profit Climbs 12%, Revenue Surges 26% YoY

TBO Tek Limited one of the world’s largest travel distribution platforms, reported a solid performance for Q2 FY26 with a 26 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue to Rs 5.68 billion, reflecting broad-based growth and improving profitability.The company recorded a Gross Transaction Value (GTV) of Rs 8,901 crore, up 12 per cent YoY, driven by strong performance across Europe, MEA, and APAC regions. Adjusted EBITDA before acquisition-related costs stood at Rs 1.04 billion, up 16 per cent YoY, translating into an 18.32 per cent margin compared to 16.56 per cent in Q1 FY26. Profit after tax r..

Infrastructure Energy

05 Nov 2025

Northern Graphite, Rain Carbon Secure R&D Grant for Greener Battery Materials

Northern Graphite Corporation and Rain Carbon Canada Inc, a subsidiary of Rain Carbon Inc, have jointly received up to C$860,000 (€530,000) in funding under the Canada–Germany Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Programme to develop sustainable battery anode materials.The two-year, C$2.2 million project aims to transform natural graphite processing by-products into high-performance, battery-grade anode material (BAM). Supported by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Programme (NRC IRAP) and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs a..

Infrastructure Urban

05 Nov 2025

Antony Waste Q2 Revenue Jumps 16%; Subsidiary Wins Rs 3,200 Cr WtE Projects

Antony Waste Handling Cell Limited (AWHCL), a leading player in India’s municipal solid waste management sector, announced a 16 per cent year-on-year increase in total operating revenue to Rs 2.33 billion for Q2 FY26. The growth was driven by higher waste volumes, escalated contracts, and strong operational execution.EBITDA rose 18 per cent to Rs 570 million, with margins steady at 21.6 per cent, while profit after tax stood at Rs 173 million, up 13 per cent YoY. Revenue from Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Transportation (MSW C&T) reached Rs 1.605 billion, and MSW Processing re..