Vande Bharat Express in J&K (file photo)
Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express: In a big cheer for people in Jammu & Kashmir, and tourists as well, the first Vande Bharat Express between Jammu and Srinagar has been flagged off.Railway MinisterAshwini Vaishnawon Thursday flagged off the 20-coach Vande Bharat Express connecting Jammu and Srinagar, marking the first direct rail link between the two capitals of Jammu and Kashmir.Among those present at the launch ceremony were Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh.Earlier, on June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the first direct train service between Katra and Srinagar.That service has now been extended to Jammu Tawi railway station.The new direct rail service is expected to significantly cut travel time between Jammu and Srinagar. It is also likely to provide a major boost to tourism while ensuring reliable, all-weather surface connectivity between the two cities.According to officials, the newly introduced 20-coach Vande Bharat train has begun its maiden journey from Jammu Tawi to Srinagar, traversing the Valley’s challenging terrain and strengthening connectivity across the region.At the same time, a corresponding service from Srinagar has also been launched towards Jammu.Fitted with modern amenities and comprising 20 coaches, the inaugural train will cover a distance of 267 kilometres on its route between Jammu and Srinagar.The regular Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat service, scheduled to commence on May 2, will operate six days a week. Services will remain suspended on Tuesdays.Work on the Rs 43,780-crore rail project aimed at connecting Kashmir with the rest of India began in the late 1990s.The first train started operating within the Kashmir Valley in October 2008.Although rail connectivity had reached Udhampur by 2005, the challenging mountainous terrain of the Pir Panjal Range made it difficult to establish a direct rail link to the Valley until 2025.Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said the train has been built using indigenous technology and is designed to deliver a world-class travel experience to passengers.He noted that the train is equipped with advanced features, including the Kavach safety system, a GPS-enabled passenger information system, and ergonomically designed rotating seats. In addition to cutting travel time, the service is expected to significantly benefit the local economy and provide a major boost to tourism.The extension of the Vande Bharat service to Jammu Tawi marks another major milestone in the long-term effort to modernise railway connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.Meanwhile, railway stations at Jammu Tawi, Katra, Udhampur, and Budgam are currently being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.At the heart of this connectivity transformation is the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project. Built at a cost of Rs 43,780 crore, it includes 36 tunnels stretching across 119 kilometres and 943 bridges, forming the critical infrastructure that links the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country.
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