The much-awaited second Vande Bharat Express will be run onthe high traffic Delhi-Katra route three days a week, likely from next month,sources said Monday. The Delhi-Katra route was chosen by the Railway Board in abid to capitalise on the high traffic volume owing to the Vaishno Devi templepilgrimage, they said. The high-speed train will bring down the travel timebetween Delhi and Katra, the last station on the way to Vaishno Devi temple, toeight hours from 12 hours it takes currently. The first Vande Bharat Express orTrain 18 was launched on the Delhi-Varanasi route. 

The second Vande BharatExpress is proposed to be run three days a week, which could be extended up tofive, they said. "The train will run every Monday, Thursday and Saturdayfor now. However, depending on the demand, we might extend it by two moredays," said the source. The train will leave from Delhi at 06:00 hours andreach Katra at 14:00 hours. On its return journey, it will leave Katra the sameday at 15:00 hours and reach Delhi at 23:00 hours. Running at a maximum speedof 130 kmph, the train will have around two-minute halts each at Ambala,Ludhiana, and Jammu Tawi, before Katra. 

The train has undergone trials on theDelhi-Katra route, which was chosen among others such as Delhi-Amritsar andDelhi-Chandigarh that were also in the contention for the premium service.Unlike its earlier version, which was criticised for lack of adequate space forpantry, the upgraded train has more space to store meals for passengers. It hasadjustable seats and improved washbasins, a sturdy aluminium-clad nose cover toavoid damage due to cattle run-over and special anti-spall film on windows toguard against stone pelting. The first Train 18 was launched on February 15 onthe Delhi-Varanasi route. It runs five days a week. Currently, the second trainis undergoing additional trials.