NewzVille Desk
In a major boost to connectivity and tourism, the direct Vande Bharat train service between Jammu and Srinagar will commence today. Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, will flag off the extended Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express service from Jammu Tawi Railway Station.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, will also be present on the occasion. The train is currently running between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and has now been extended up to Jammu Tawi and will now operate with 20 coaches instead of eight.
The semi high-speed Vande Bharat trains are equipped with modern passenger amenities and offer a faster, more comfortable and reliable journey through the scenic Kashmir Valley. The train has been specially designed to operate in the region’s challenging terrain and extreme cold conditions, ensuring smooth functioning even in sub-zero temperatures.
The train is equipped with advanced heating systems to ensure comfort for passengers and drivers. With the extension of the Vande Bharat train, the passengers can travel between Jammu and Srinagar in less than five hours.
The initiative is expected to boost tourism by improving access to destinations such as Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonmarg. This will also benefit local residents, promote tourism, facilitate trade and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region.
All arrangements, including infrastructure, trial runs, and security protocols, have been finalised for the launch of the direct rail connectivity between the two capital cities. The trains and tracks are fully ready, and successful trial runs have already been conducted, while security arrangements have been put in place ahead of the launch.
The train will depart from Jammu Tawi at 10:30 AM, with boarding/disembarking at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and reach Srinagar at 15:05 hours on the same day. The date and timings for the regular operations of this train will be announced separately by the Railway authorities.
Currently, two Vande Bharat Express trains are operating between Katra and Srinagar, and they will now be extended to Jammu with revised timings. The development comes ahead of the annual move of the Civil Secretariat to Srinagar, scheduled in early May, and is also expected to benefit pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Ji.
The regular train service between Jammu and Srinagar will begin on Saturday. The train will run six days a week except on Tuesdays. The first train service will depart from Jammu Tawi at 6:20 in the morning and will halt at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi, and Banihal stations.
The train will reach Srinagar at 11:10 AM, completing the journey in approximately four hours and fifty minutes. On its return journey, the train will leave Srinagar at 2:00 PM and arrive at Jammu Tawi at 6:50 PM.
