Ashwini Vaishnaw flags off Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express

JAMMU: Union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday flagged off a 20-coach Vande Bharat Express between Jammu and Srinagar, marking the first direct rail link between the two cities. PM Narendra Modi had inaugurated the broader Katra–Kashmir service last year. Regular operations will begin May 2, with two pairs of trains running six days a week.

The train will stop at Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Banihal, and Srinagar, covering 267km in about five hours—significantly faster than the usual eight to nine hours by road. With expanded capacity from 8 to 20 coaches, each train can carry around 1,400 passengers, improving accessibility and convenience.

J&K CM Omar Abdullah described the project as “transformative,” noting its impact on connectivity, industry, and long-standing public aspirations. He highlighted that the rail link would enhance both passenger travel and freight movement, including cement, food supplies, vehicles, and local produce.

Vaishnaw emphasised the train’s ability to operate in extreme conditions, including temperatures as low as -10°C and heavy snowfall, thanks to advanced design and passenger-friendly features. He also outlined future plans to expand rail connectivity to the Poonch-Rajouri region and extend the line to Uri, with projects currently in planning stages.

Additional infrastructure upgrades, including line doubling and capacity enhancements, are underway. The redevelopment of Jammu Tawi station is progressing, while doubling of the Jalandhar–Jammu section is complete, and work continues on the Qazigund–Baramulla stretch.

These initiatives aim to reduce reliance on weather-prone road transport, boost investment, create jobs, and strengthen economic integration in the region.