Modi administration gives security nod to Vashno Devi train

The long-awaited direct train to the base of the Vaishno Devi shrine in Kashmir, considered a holy of holies among Hindus, has finally been cleared by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS).

The train will run between Kalka and Katra, the base of the climb to Vaishno Devi, according to a statement from Indian Railways.

The Katra-Kalka train was announced in the railway budget presented by the previous UPA government last year, but security clearance for the 25-km Udhampur-Katra rail section in Jammu & Kashmir was pending.

''After missing several deadlines, the track has finally got the security clearance now,'' said Neeraj Sharma, chief public relations officer, Northern Railways.

He added that the railway department would soon begin the official process to start new trains, including Katra-Kalka train, as well as to extending existing trains till Katra.

The Udhampur-Katra rail section will reportedly be soon inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party, along with railway minister Sadananda Gowda.

Media reports suggested that although a date for opening of the Katra line was yet to be finalised, it would most probably be before the rail budget to be presented next month, as preparations for the inaugural run are almost complete.

Construction of the Udhampur-Katra line is estimated to cost Rs1,050 crore. The 53km-long Jammu-Udhampur rail line is already operational and once the Udhampur-Katra line is made operational, trains will be able to come up to Katra directly.

The line to Katra has seven tunnels and over 30 small and big bridges. Katra station has been completed with modern facilities, including a tourist counter, a VIP lounge, escalators and lifts.

The railways is also considering extending Jammu Mail and Sampark Kranti trains up to Katra, besides introducing new trains, including Katra-Kalka Express, Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Udhampur Express and Ahmadabad-Udhampur Express.