Reasi (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station, directly connecting Jammu division with Kashmir.

This marks a significant milestone in Jammu and Kashmir's railway connectivity. Before flagging off the trains, Prime Minister Modi interacted with school children onboard the train.

The students, who had been selected through a painting competition, expressed their excitement over meeting the Prime Minister and travelling in the prestigious Vande Bharat Express.

One student said, 'PM asked everyone what we did to be able to be here today. I told him we all participated in a painting competition, after which we got selected to come here. I even told him I want to become a singer, and he asked me to sing something. I sang a local Kashmiri song for him and he liked it very much.'

Another student on board the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express shared, 'When he asked everyone if anyone was into sports, I raised my hand. He asked me a few questions about that. Many students asked him about life lessons, and he gave very easy answers to all our questions... This train is a boon for all of us in J&K.'

A third student said, 'I liked it after meeting PM Modi. I interacted with him for the first time. He asked how we reached here, to which I replied that we took part in a painting competition and got selected... This is the first time I am travelling in Vande Bharat Express.'

Another child added, 'I liked meeting the Prime Minister. He asked us a few questions, and we asked him a few questions. I asked him how he was feeling after this dream of his was finally achieved... I want to thank the Prime Minister; he has done so much for us. He is always there in the service of his countrymen...'

The new Vande Bharat Express service will reduce the travel time between Katra and Srinagar from the current 6-7 hours by road to just about 3 hours. The trains aim to provide a fast, comfortable, and reliable travel option for residents, tourists, and pilgrims.

The train will run through the Anji Khad Bridge, which is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, which is the highest railway bridge in the world.

These trains have been specially designed to operate in the cold climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley. (ANI)