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Vande Bharat Express train service started between Jammu and Srinagar, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav gave the green flag.

By Samira Vishwas

Jammu, 30 April. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Thursday flagged off the direct 20-coach Vande Bharat Express train service between Jammu and Srinagar. This train service will start for the general public from May 2. On this occasion, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh were also present.

CM Omar Abdullah said – A new era of development has started in Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that this new service marks the beginning of a transformative phase in the development of the region as it improves seamless and all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir valley, thereby boosting mobility, tourism and economic activities across the region.

Jitendra Singh posted on the social media platform ‘X’ and wrote, ‘New Vande Bharat with 20 coaches flagged off at Jammu Railway Station. This will give a major boost to rail connectivity in this region. Union Railway Minister, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and other dignitaries were also present on this occasion.

He further wrote, ‘The addition of 20 coaches reflects the growing demand for modern, high-speed rail travel and further strengthens the government’s commitment towards improving passenger capacity, comfort and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.’

Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari wrote in X Post, ‘The launch of the direct train connecting the twin capitals of Jammu and Kashmir is a long-awaited milestone. This will significantly improve connectivity, making travel between the Valley and Jammu even more convenient and comfortable.”

This direct train service will boost tourism and will also save travel time between the two cities.

This direct train service between Jammu and Srinagar will boost tourism, reduce travel time between the two cities, and also become a reliable alternative to the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which is often closed during bad weather. Earlier on June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated this service between Katra and Srinagar, which has now been extended up to Jammu Tawi railway station.

For almost 70 years, the dream of connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country through rail network was unfulfilled. This ambitious project was started in the late 1990s at a cost of Rs 43,780 crore to complete it. Due to difficult geographical conditions, it is counted among the most challenging railway projects in the world.

October for the first time in Kashmir valley, 2008 Train service started in

Train service started for the first time in Kashmir Valley in October 2008 while the train reached Udhampur in 2005. Laying the railway line between the Pir Panjal ranges has been the biggest challenge for the Indian Railways so far. On Thursday, the modern Vande Bharat train with 20 coaches started its maiden journey from Jammu Tawi and reached Srinagar after traversing difficult hilly roads. According to officials, at the same time a train was also dispatched from Srinagar to Jammu.

This train will run 6 days a week except Tuesday

Before the start of this service, a trial run was also conducted between Jammu and Mata Vaishno Devi Katra on Tuesday. This train will cover a distance of 267 kilometers and will run six days a week. There will be no service on this route on Tuesday.

Construction of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link with 36 tunnels.

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link has been constructed under this project, consisting of 36 tunnels (119 km) and 943 bridges. Jammu Tawi, Katra, Udhampur and Budgam stations are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

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