Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the extension of the Srinagar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express up to Jammu Tawi on Thursday, 30 April, with the 20-coach train set to begin regular runs from 2 May.
The extension strengthens the existing Jammu-Srinagar rail corridor by integrating Jammu Tawi more directly into the Vande Bharat network, allowing passengers from across India to access the Kashmir Valley through a single interchange.
The Vande Bharat train on this route has been upgraded from an 8-coach configuration to a 20-coach train, reflecting sustained high occupancy and growing passenger demand on the corridor.
The increased capacity is expected to significantly enhance passenger movement between Jammu and Srinagar, particularly during peak tourist and pilgrimage seasons.
While the train has been flagged off, regular commercial runs will commence from 2 May, marking the beginning of scheduled services on the extended route.
With Jammu Tawi now part of the service, passengers travelling from major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Howrah and Kanyakumari can reach the Kashmir Valley with improved ease through existing rail connections.
The Vande Bharat train operating on this route has been designed to function in extreme weather conditions, including sub-zero temperatures prevalent in the region.
It is equipped with advanced electronic systems and specialised features to ensure reliable operations in the challenging terrain of the Himalayas.
Improved rail connectivity is expected to support tourism growth in Jammu and Kashmir by providing faster and more reliable access to destinations such as Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and Amarnath.
Rail-based logistics in the region have also expanded significantly. Around 2 crore kilograms of apples have already been transported from the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country using the railway network.
The movement of essential commodities such as cement, foodgrains, fertilizers, salt and milk has also improved, contributing to more stable supply chains and reduced costs in the region.
The development builds on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, which has enabled all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.
Key infrastructure projects such as the Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge have played a crucial role in making the corridor operational and reliable.
Further capacity enhancement works, including line doubling and new rail links to regions such as Poonch, Rajouri and Uri, are in planning or development stages, aimed at strengthening connectivity and supporting long-term economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
Read also: Mumbai-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat upgraded to 20 coaches permanently from 28 April as demand surges
