Cake, Camera, Kashmir: A family from Varanasi celebrated their son’s birthday mid-journey, calling it “the best gift”—a memory etched in the first ride of Kashmir’s Vande Bharat Express.
BY PC Bureau
By Pravin Kumar
Jubilation filled the air as passengers embarked on the inaugural journey of the Vande Bharat Express from Katra to Srinagar, marking a historic moment in India’s railway legacy.
The high-speed train, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, fulfilled a long-cherished dream of connecting the holy town of Katra, home to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, with the scenic Kashmir Valley.
Passengers expressed their excitement, raised slogans like “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Modi Ji Ka Shukriya,” and hailed the Prime Minister for making them part of history.
The 272-km journey, completed in just under three hours, offered passengers a front-row view of the world’s tallest railway arch bridge, the Chenab Rail Bridge, standing 359 meters above the riverbed.
Gasps of awe echoed through the coaches as the train glided over the iconic structure, a marvel of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL). “Crossing the Chenab Bridge was like witnessing a miracle. It’s a proud moment for all of us, and we thank PM Modi for this incredible achievement,” said Priya Sharma, a pilgrim traveling from Katra.
A couple, Rakesh and Neha Jaiswal from Varanasi, celebrated their son Moksh’s sixth birthday inside Kashmir’s first Vande Bharat express train, cutting the cake as the train reached Anji Khad Bridge, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi yesterday. Rakesh Jaiswal says, “It was a coincidence that it was our son’s birthday the same day PM Modi was going to flag off this train. We thought we should celebrate our son’s birthday on the first journey of this train so that his birthday becomes memorable for him.” Neha Jaiswal says, “… This is the best gift for our son… We made this plan because of PM Modi…”
READ: Chenab Rail Bridge Stands Tall—But Its Name Stirs Storm
The Vande Bharat Express, with its sleek design and modern amenities like reclining seats, onboard Wi-Fi, and bio-vacuum toilets, left passengers in awe. “This is not just a train; it’s a dream come true. I never thought I’d travel to Srinagar so comfortably and so fast. Modi Ji has connected Kashmir to Kanyakumari,” said Anil Kumar, a first-time passenger who raised slogans with fellow travelers to express gratitude.
The train’s ability to operate in sub-zero temperatures, equipped with heated windscreens and insulated systems, ensured a smooth ride through the Himalayan terrain.
Chenab Rail Bridge Stands Tall—But Its Name Stirs Storm
Passengers were particularly excited about the scenic views, with the train passing through 36 tunnels, including the 12.75-km Banihal Tunnel, and 943 bridges. “The tunnels, the mountains, the Chenab Bridge—it felt like we were part of a historic journey. I’ll tell my grandchildren I was on the first Vande Bharat to Srinagar,” shared Ruksana Begum, a Srinagar resident returning home.
The USBRL project, costing over ₹43,780 crore, has been a monumental effort to integrate the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India. Passengers lauded the government’s vision, with one exclaiming, “This train is a symbol of unity. PM Modi has made the impossible possible.” The excitement was palpable at stations, with crowds gathering to cheer the train’s arrival and departure, many recording the moment on their phones to capture their place in history.
The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, operating six days a week with two daily pairs (26401/26402 and 26403/26404), has chair car tickets priced at ₹660-₹715 and executive class at ₹1,270-₹1,320. Regular services began on June 7, with plans to extend the route to Jammu by September. The train stops at Banihal, offering a vital link for pilgrims, tourists, and locals.
As the train pulled into Srinagar, passengers clapped and chanted slogans, their voices echoing gratitude for a journey that not only connected two regions but also fulfilled a 70-year-old dream. “We’re not just traveling; we’re making history,” said a passenger, summing up the sentiment of a day that will be remembered for generations.Let me know if you’d like a timeline of events, legal breakdown of Gangte’s arrest, or summary of NIA’s role in the conflict.
