Jammu, June 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the train service from Katra to Kashmir Valley on June 6.

Officials said, "The Prime Minister may inaugurate the Vande Bharat train service from Katra in Jammu division to Baramulla in Kashmir Valley on June 6, as all preparations are nearly complete."

The train service was initially scheduled to start on April 19 but was postponed due to bad weather.

This new Vande Bharat train will help Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, especially when the Jammu-Srinagar highway is blocked, causing travel delays.

This year's Amarnath Yatra begins on July 3 and ends on August 9, lasting 38 days.

Officials also said that special trains can be arranged if there is heavy pilgrim traffic or highway blockades.

The Prime Minister will flag off the train from Katra to Baramulla and will inaugurate the service virtually for the return route.

Before the launch, he will visit Katra Stadium for a rally and see the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab River and the first cable-stayed railway bridge in Reasi district.

Currently, the train will run only between Katra and Baramulla. After expansion work at Jammu Railway Station is completed, the train will run from Jammu to Baramulla, likely by August-September this year.

There is no direct train from Delhi or other parts of India to Kashmir yet; passengers will need to change trains at Katra or later at Jammu.

The Jammu-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project, covering 272 km, has been partially completed in phases over the years, with only a 17 km stretch between Reasi and Katra completed recently.

The project cost is about Rs 41,000 crore.

A successful electric train trial was conducted on the Katra-Banihal section on January 4.

Railways have also conducted many trials on key bridges like Anji Khad and Chenab.

The new specially designed semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express will connect Katra and Srinagar, becoming the third such train in Jammu and Kashmir.

This inauguration will fulfill a 70-year-old dream of the Kashmir Valley people and boost horticulture, industries, education, goods transport, and general travel convenience.

The rail link connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari is closer to reality with this launch, marking a major milestone in Jammu and Kashmir’s development.