Train from Katra to Srinagar

Maruti

We are planning a trip of two months to India. We would like to go to Srinagar and around for one week in mid-March. In July, I read in The Times of India about a new railway from Katra to Srinagar, through Udhampur, Anantnag and Pampore. It was supposed to be in service in December, and it looked to be very scenic. Does anyone have information about it?

Maruti

anar

my friends in kashmir tell me it isn't ready and not very likely to be in the near future. i will fly to srinagar in the summer instead - had been looking forward to a train journey.

Indizen

You can travel by train from Delhi to Jammu and onwards to Udhampur by Uttar Sampark Kranti or Jammu Mail. Its a very scenic route.
The line to Katra and on to the valley is not yet ready as a lot of tunnels and bridges are being built.
The line within the valley which connects Srinagar with north Kashmir is half ready and is likely to be commissioned by August this year.

Maruti

Thanks both of you for your reply. We will fly from Delhi to Srinagar. We leave Canada for Delhi on the 12th of February, and would like to go to Kashmir around the 15th of March.
How is the weather at that time?
Should we book on Spice jet (or Air Deccan) through internet long in advance? Before we leave Canada? Or is it soon enough to book through a travel agency while we are in Delhi, a couple of weeks in advance?

Thanks again,

Maruti

avalonsunset

Hi

I was in Kashmir Last year round about the time you mention - feb/ march time. Weatherwise it was a mixture - rain and then some some really nice sunny days and then the snow came down - I was told it was pretty unusual for that time of year for so much snow to fall - 8 feet in Gulmarg and 5 foot in Pahalgam/Aru where I was. One thing though it was pretty chilly on an evening.

If you can (I have read it can be difficult with an international credit/debit card) I'd book your ticket over the internet as soon as poss if you want to get the cheapest price - I paid 2000r on Air Deccan (including travel agents commision) for a flight Srinagar to Delhi booked in January for a March flight but I could see the price going up daily as I hunted round for a travel agency that would do it for me.

Maruti

Thanks, Avalon. I hope from 15 to 2o of March there won't fall that much snow! I live in Canada, and we've had enough this year. But we dream of Srinagar and Dal Lake since a long time. Now it's relatively secure, so we'll go.
I'll try to book air ticket on line. Hope it works.

Thanks again,

Maruti