Amritsar/Chandigarh

Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu on Tuesday flagged off the Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express on its newly aligned route via Gurdaspur and Batala, a move expected to shorten the journey by nearly 84 kilometres and reduce travel time by around 40 minutes.

Addressing the event, Bittu said the rerouted service represents another important step in the modernisation of Indian Railways. The train, which connects the holy city of Amritsar with the revered pilgrimage destination of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, is expected to offer faster, safer and more comfortable travel for pilgrims, tourists and regular passengers.

The revised route will enable the train to cover a distance of about 283 kilometres in approximately five hours. Equipped with modern AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car coaches, the Vande Bharat Express offers enhanced passenger comfort and a range of contemporary amenities.

According to the minister, the service will further strengthen the religious tourism network linking prominent pilgrimage sites such as Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple, Sri Ram Tirath Ji and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. It is also expected to boost tourism, trade and economic activity across the region.

Bittu expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for supporting the projects, stating that the Prime Minister has consistently shown special concern for Punjab and its people.

The minister also announced the redevelopment of Beas Junction railway station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 62 crore. The project aims to enhance passenger facilities and accommodate future growth in rail traffic.

Beas station currently handles around 106 trains every day, including 98 trains that halt there and eight originating or terminating services. Daily passenger footfall, currently estimated at about 6,166, is expected to rise to nearly 19,500 in the coming years.

As part of the redevelopment, a new station building will be constructed on the GT Road side while preserving the heritage character of the existing structure. An additional platform will also be built, increasing the total number of platforms from two to three and improving operational capacity.

To facilitate smoother passenger movement, a new six-metre-wide foot overbridge will be constructed at the Amritsar end, while the existing foot overbridge will be extended towards the second entrance.

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The project will further include comprehensive redevelopment of approach roads, circulating areas, parking facilities and designated passenger pick-up and drop-off zones on both the Dera Road and GT Road sides. Dedicated parking spaces for cars, buses and two-wheelers will also be created, with special arrangements planned to manage higher traffic volumes during mela periods.