JAMMU, Apr 22: The long wait for direct train connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar is finally set to end on April 30, when Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Union Minister of State in the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, will flag off the Vande Bharat Express from Jammu Railway Station to the Kashmir Valley.
Officials confirmed that all preparations have been completed, with successful trial runs conducted and security arrangements fully in place ahead of the inauguration. “The trains and tracks are ready, and the service will be formally launched on April 30,” sources said.
The event will also be attended by Union MoS in the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, and senior Railway Ministry officials.
Currently, two Vande Bharat Express trains operate between Katra and Srinagar. With the new extension, these services will now connect Jammu and Srinagar, with revised timings to be announced by the Railways.
Officials said the new direct service will significantly reduce travel time between the two capital cities and further strengthen regional connectivity. Additionally, two Vande Bharat trains already operate between New Delhi and Katra.
The launch comes just ahead of the Civil Secretariat’s annual shift from Jammu (winter capital) to Srinagar (summer capital). Offices will begin relocating from April 30 and early May, with full reopening in Srinagar by May 4.
The train service is expected to benefit government employees, tourists, and pilgrims, especially ahead of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra beginning July 3. Officials said the rail link will provide smoother access for yatris traveling from across the country to Jammu before proceeding towards Kashmir.
However, authorities clarified that the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway will continue to remain a major connectivity route, as the rail service alone cannot accommodate all passengers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier inaugurated the Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat service on June 6, 2025, as part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which established all-weather rail connectivity to the Valley.
Initially, a March 1, 2026 deadline had been proposed for the Jammu–Srinagar direct train, but the plan was later advanced.
The service is expected to operate with upgraded 20-coach Vande Bharat rakes, replacing the current 8-coach configuration between Srinagar and Katra.
The Jammu Railway Division, operational since 2025, has also expanded freight movement, handling goods ranging from military supplies to commercial cargo across the region. (Agency)
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