STATE TIMES NEWS
UDHAMPUR: In a ceremony full of excitement and jubilation, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday flagged off the maiden regular run of Vande Bharat Express train with stops at Udhampur and Kathua respectively, both of which stations happen to be a part of his Lok Sabha constituency.
Terming it as a historic decision of the government, Dr Jitendra said it was possible only due to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s special attention and priority that he has accorded to the J&K region for its fast-paced development.
Dr Jitendra today flagged off the maiden stoppage of the Train from the Udhampur Station early this morning and travelled on it to reach Kathua Railway Station, where the train made its first stoppage.
Dr Jitendra said this achievement was not a small feat as the entire process of ticketing and haltage was completed within just one-and-half-month period without tinkering with the mandated eight-hour journey time of the Vande Bharat Train.
Both Udhampur and Kathua Railway Stations will hold great significance in the coming decade, Dr Singh added.
Sharing the revised time schedule of the two Vande Bharat Trains, with Udhampur and Kathua as stoppages, Dr Jitendra said it has been done keeping in mind commuters’ comfort. He said travelers from Kathua and Udhampur can now have lunch in Delhi whereas travelers from Delhi can have dinner at the next destination.
The present departure timing of Train number 22478 from Katra is 6 am which has been changed to 5.50 am. The train will reach Udhampur railway station (Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Station) at 6.14 am and start further journey at 6.16 am. As per revised timings, the train will reach Jammu railway station at 7.10 am and start after a two minute halt. It will reach Kathua at 8.03 am and start at 8.05 for further journey towards New Delhi.
Likewise, Train number 22477 from New Delhi will reach Kathua at 8.45 pm and depart at 8.47 pm.
It will reach Jammu station at 9.45 pm and halt for two minutes. The train will reach Udhampur at 10.42 pm and start at 10.44 pm to reach Katra at 11.15 pm.