Union Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh, flagged off the Amritsar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express on its new route via Gurdaspur and Batala, significantly reducing distance and travel time. Connecting the holy city of Amritsar with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, the service will provide faster, safer and more comfortable travel for pilgrims, tourists and local passengers.

The Minister said the service would strengthen the religious tourism circuit linking Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple and Sri Ram Tirath Ji in Amritsar with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, while also promoting economic activity, tourism and trade in the region. He also announced plans to redevelop Beas Railway Junction with an estimated cost of Rs 62 Crore with all modern facilities under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.