Jammu, Apr 30: In a major boost to rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is about to flag off the 20-coach extended Vande Bharat Express between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar on Thursday.
The flag-off ceremony at Jammu Tawi Railway Station is set to be attended by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with senior railway and government officials.
The high-capacity train will operate between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar, marking the first direct Vande Bharat service on this route. The service will be opened to the public from May 2 and is expected to significantly reduce travel time while enhancing comfort and convenience for passengers.
Indian Railways has been continuously working to improve passenger facilities and strengthen connectivity in the region. The Vande Bharat service between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, launched in June 2025, received a strong response, leading to demands for its extension to Jammu Tawi.
The rail project, initiated in the late 1990s at an estimated cost of ₹28,000 crore, has steadily expanded over the years. Connectivity reached Udhampur in 2005 and the Kashmir Valley in 2008, while the Katra–Srinagar link was inaugurated by Narendra Modi in June 2025.
Officials said the train will cover a distance of around 267 km through mountainous terrain and will operate six days a week, with Tuesday as a weekly off.
Equipped with modern amenities such as the indigenous ‘Kavach’ safety system, GPS-based passenger information, and improved seating comfort, the train is expected to offer faster, safer, and more convenient travel, further strengthening all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.
