Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is set to flag off the Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on April 30. The train services for the general public will begin from May 2.
The direct rail connection between Srinagar and Jammu is likely to cut travel time between the twin capitals of Jammu and Kashmir. The service is also likely to boost tourism and provide an all-weather surface transport link to the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the first direct train service between Katra and Srinagar on June 6, 2025. The rail link is now being extended further up to Jammu Tawi Railway Station.
Work on the Rs 28,000-crore railway project to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country began in the late 1990s. The first train started operating within the Kashmir Valley in October 2008.
While rail services reached Udhampur by 2005, connecting the Valley remained a major challenge due to the difficult terrain of the Pir Panjal mountain range. The complete link with the rest of India was finally achieved in 2025.
Officials said the modern 20-coach Vande Bharat train will start its maiden journey from Jammu Tawi and travel up to Srinagar, crossing some of the most challenging geographical stretches of the Valley. At the same time, another train will depart from Srinagar towards Jammu, ensuring simultaneous connectivity from both sides.
Ahead of the launch, officials conducted a successful trial run of the Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat on Tuesday between Jammu and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. The inaugural train, fitted with modern facilities and consisting of 20 coaches, will cover a distance of 267 kilometres during Thursday’s run. The service will operate six days a week between Jammu and Srinagar in both directions. There will be no train service on Tuesdays.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said the indigenously built Vande Bharat Express will provide passengers with a world-class travel experience. He added that the train includes advanced features such as the Kavach safety system, GPS-based passenger information, and comfortable rotating seats. The service is expected to reduce travel time while giving a major push to tourism and the local economy.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the new train would significantly benefit the tourism sector. He noted that earlier services had limited capacity. He explained that only an eight-coach train was running between Katra and Srinagar earlier, but the introduction of a 20-coach train will allow more passengers to travel and improve connectivity.
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