The New Delhi to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express was the second Vande Bharat train to be launched and it was inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah on October 3, 2019. This train was launched in a bid to boost religious tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.

"For the development of Jammu and Kashmir religious tourism will play a big part, there cannot be any village in India where people do not want to go to Mata Vaishno Devi temple," Shah had said during the launch ceremony.

It is also known to be India's first vegetarian train, as there is no meat and eggs on the menu. The train operates six days a week except Tuesday.

The train consists of 16 coaches -- two driver car, two executive coaches and 12 AC chair car coaches.

The distance between New Delhi and Katra is 655 kilometers, which the train will cover in eight hours. The Vande Bharat Express will run at 130 kmph between New Delhi and Katra.

New Delhi To Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express Stoppages 

The Vande Bharat Express leaves New Delhi Railway station at 6:00 AM and reaches Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station at 2:00 PM. The train has stoppages at three stations in the middle of the journey -- Ambala Cantonment Junction, Ludhiana Junction and Jammu Tawi. The train runs six days a week except for Tuesdays. 

Station Arrival Departure
New Delhi Station   06:00 AM
Ambala Cantt Junction 08:10 AM 08:12 AM
Ludhiana Junction 09:19  09:21 AM
Jammu Tavi 12:38 PM 12:40 PM
Shmata VD Katra 02:00 PM  

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra To New Delhi Vande Bharat Express Stoppages

On its return leg, the train leaves Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station at 3:00 PM and reaches New Delhi station at 11:00 PM. The train makes stops at Jammu Tawi station, Ludhiana Junction station and Ambala Cantonment Junction station along the way. 

Station Arrival Departure
Shmata VD Katra   03:00 PM
Jammu Tavi  04:13 PM 04:15 PM
Ludhiana Junction 07:30 PM 07:32 PM
Ambala Cantt Junction 08:48 PM 08:50 PM
New Delhi Station 11:00 PM  

Fare of Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express

The train fare for Air Conditioned (AC) Chair Car is Rs 1,630 including taxes and catering charge Rs 364. Meanwhile, the fare for the Executive Chair Car is Rs 3,015 including taxes and catering charge of Rs 419.

Fare of Katra-Delhi Vande Bharat Express

The fare of Katra-Delhi Vande Bharat Express is Rs 1,570 between Katra and New Delhi. The fare of Executive Chair Car is Rs 2,965.