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Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express launched
Srinagar: The Vande Bharat Express connecting Jammu and Srinagar was officially flagged off on Thursday, marking a major milestone in rail connectivity for Jammu and Kashmir. Regular passenger services on the route will begin from 2 May.
The launch ceremony was attended by Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh, among other dignitaries.
This is the first direct rail link between Jammu and Srinagar, connecting the region’s two key administrative centres. The service is expected to significantly reduce travel time, boost tourism, and provide a reliable all-weather transport option.
The train, which earlier operated between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, has now been extended up to Jammu Tawi. Along with the route extension, its capacity has been upgraded from 8 coaches to 20 coaches.
In a post on X, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described it as the “Srinagar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express extension to Jammu Tawi Railway Station with 20 coaches augmentation,” highlighting both the extension and increased capacity.
The new service will cut travel time between Jammu and Srinagar to approximately 4 hours 50 minutes, compared to nearly 8 hours by road. Road travel on this stretch is often affected by traffic congestion, landslides, and snowfall.
Designed for extreme weather conditions, the Vande Bharat trains can operate in temperatures as low as -20°C, ensuring year-round connectivity even during harsh winters.
Covering a distance of around 266 km, the train will halt at key stations including Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, and Banihal.
Two pairs of services will operate daily (except on specific weekly off days), offering morning and afternoon departures from both ends:
A trial run between Jammu and Katra had been conducted earlier to test the route before the official launch.
The new rail link is expected to transform regional connectivity by offering a faster, safer, and more dependable alternative to road travel between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.
