Jammu/Srinagar: In a historic move, the Indian Railways today connected Jammu with Srinagar directly as the first direct Vande Bharat Express from Jammu chugged into the Kashmir valley on Thursday and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw promised to focus on connecting remote areas like Poonch, Rajouri and Uri to the country’s rail network.
Following the completion of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), Vaishnaw said detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared on projects to connect the Poonch-Rajouri region to the national rail network and to extend the railway line to Uri, a border town in Baramulla district.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Jitendra Singh, were among the dignitaries present at the flagging off ceremony.
The direct train services between Srinagar and Jammu will reduce travel time between the twin capitals of Jammu and Kashmir, and boost tourism, besides providing an all-weather surface transport link.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first direct train service between Katra and Srinagar on June 6, 2025. This service has now been extended up to the Jammu Tawi Railway Station.
The work on the Rs 43,780-crore rail project, linking Kashmir to the rest of the country, began in the late 1990s, with the first train operating in the Kashmir Valley in October 2008.
Talking to reporters after the flagging off ceremony, Vaishnaw said the government will focus on connecting the Poonch-Rajouri region with the rail network of the country, besides working on a rail link to Uri.
“We will now focus on connecting Poonch and Rajouri with rail connectivity. We will also take up a project to connect Uri with the train,” the minister said after the flagging off ceremony.
“The DPRs for these projects have been made, and we will try to get work started soon,” he added.
On the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, the railway minister called it a major landmark achievement, which has become the lifeline of Jammu and Kashmir.
“This train service is a major landmark for people of Jammu and Kashmir. The prime minister inaugurated this train service between Katra and Kashmir last year. This train is very popular with 100 percent occupancy and has become a lifeline for Jammu and Kashmir,” Vaishnaw said.
He said there was a huge demand for increasing the passenger-carrying capacity of the train.
“The eight coaches ran at 100 percent occupancy, and there was demand to increase the capacity. Now, it has been made into a 20-coach train,” he said, and noted that the train service benefited the people of Kashmir as it has been used for ferrying goods like cement, cars and bikes.
“I have been told that the prices of cement have dropped by Rs 50 (per bag). Around 2 crore kg (20,000 tons) of apples and other fruits have been transported through trains to other parts of the country,” he said.
Vaishnaw said the Vande Bharat Express between Jammu and Srinagar can operate in all weather conditions.
“We can run this train in minus 10 degrees Celsius. You saw there was one foot of snow last winter, but the trains still operated. The design of this train incorporates all facilities and advanced features for passenger comfort, making it an all-weather train,” he said.
The minister said this is the first time that a train is being operated at such a high altitude. “This train will facilitate the easy movement of fruits, goods and all other items.”
Jitendra Singh said the direct train service between the twin capitals of Jammu and Kashmir will propel economic growth in the union territory, besides making travel easy for tourists and pilgrims.
“We express our gratitude to the PM. It was due to his efforts that the train between Jammu and Katra became a reality after 42 years, and the direct train between Jammu and Srinagar has now been started,” he added.
Meanwhile, thanking Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Centre for extending Vande Bharat train services between Jammu and Srinagar, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday demanded a dry (inland) port for the union territory to boost trade and business.
“I want to congratulate and thank Vaishnaw and, through him, the central government, on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, for connecting Jammu with Kashmir through rail,” Abdullah said while addressing a gathering during the flagging-off of the Vande Bharat train from the Jammu railway station.
Highlighting the railway connectivity’s trade benefits, the CM said goods like cement and cars can be transported, giving a huge boost to business and trade.
“The speciality of this train is that it has not only enabled people like us to travel but has also facilitated the transport of goods such as cement. I was surprised to see Maruti cars being transported to Srinagar and fruits from Kashmir by rail,” he said.
Abdullah also appealed to the railways minister to set up an inland port in Jammu and Kashmir to ease customs clearance for exporting goods from the union territory.
“I have a request for the railways minister, even though it does not pertain to his ministry, but since he has the goodwill, he can use that. I request that an inland port be set up in J&K. There is an urgent need for a dry port here so that we do not require customs clearance in other cities for our goods, which we want to export from here. The customs clearance should take place here in J&K, it will benefit our trade and business,” the CM added.
Abdullah said that while he would raise the issue with the central government, he appealed to the union ministers, Vaishnaw and Jitendra Singh, and the MPs present there to take up the matter with the Centre.
“This inland port, dry port, will prove to be very beneficial for Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Talking about the significance of the railway connectivity between Srinagar and Jammu, the chief minister said the people of J&K had been waiting for it for many years.
“For so many years, we had been waiting to travel by train from Jammu to Srinagar. Now, there is no need for us to travel to Katra from Jammu and the other way around via road,” he said.
Abdullah said he had never expected the railway line to become so popular that he would have to seek favours to reserve seats on the train.
“Thankfully, now it (train) has been changed from eight bogies to 20 and while 500 passengers used to travel earlier, now 1400 people can travel via it. This is a huge thing for us,” he added.
CORAS commandos among 21 security personnel to guard Vande Bharat trains in J&K: PCSC
Apart from the multi-layered security setup along the 327-kilometre Jammu-Katra-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line, 21 security personnel, including RPF commandos, will guard the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express service launched by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday, an official said.
Talking to reporters, Pankaj Gangwar, principal chief security commissioner, Indian Railway Protection Force Service, said, “Today is the start of this service from Jammu. Its regular service will begin from May 2.”
He said a comprehensive security grid has been put in place to protect the railway line as well as the Vande Bharat train.
“For initial security, we have deployed a ‘one plus twenty’ guard system. An inspector will lead the team, which also includes eight Railway Protection Force (RPF) commandos who will ensure security along the route,” Gangwar said, adding that they are fully equipped with advanced weapons.
The official said the railways will also operate a pilot vehicle ahead of the train for security purposes. “It will move in advance in the morning and address any shortcomings along the route,” he said.
Furthermore, guard posts have been established at every 2 kilometres, manned by quick reaction teams consisting of Government Railway Police and civil police personnel.
“On receiving any information, they will immediately secure the affected area,” he said.
On tunnel security, he explained that a tunnel control system is put in place, which is jointly managed by the engineering teams and the Government Railway Police.
“Sensors have been installed to detect any unusual activity — whether fire or intrusion — and they immediately trigger alarms. Both ends of the tunnels are guarded,” he added.
Escape tunnels have been provided so that, in case of any emergency, stranded passengers can be evacuated safely.
“You will see that there is complete and robust security throughout the route. Moreover, the affection and support of the people of Kashmir itself serve as a strong assurance for the safety of this service,” Gangwar said.
RPF commandos, popularly known as CORAS (commandos for railway safety), were deployed last year for security of Vande Bharat trains operating on the Katra-Srinagar rail link between the Kashmir Valley and Katra, the base camp of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. (PTI)
Train between Jammu and Srinagar hailed as ‘game-changer’
People across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday hailed the launch of the direct Vande Bharat Express service between Jammu and Srinagar, calling it a major step towards improved connectivity, tourism and economic growth.
Passengers and stakeholders termed the development a “game-changer,” highlighting that the service would significantly reduce travel time, cut costs, and provide all-weather connectivity to the Valley.
“It is a game-changer for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Not only will it save time and energy, but it will ensure all-weather connectivity. It will give a big boost to trade and tourism,” said Arvind Singh, a travel agent who was among those onboard the inaugural journey.
He added that tourists and pilgrims, especially those visiting the Amarnath Yatra, were previously dependent on road transport, which was often disrupted by traffic congestion, landslides, and adverse weather conditions.
“Now, pilgrims can conveniently use the train service,” he said. Echoing similar sentiments, a trader, Bushan Chand, said transporting goods to the Kashmir Valley by trucks was both time-consuming and expensive.
“This train service will be a game-changer for our businesses. It will ease travel and logistics. We thank the Government of India for extending the train to Jammu,” he said.
A government employee, Mustaq Ahmed, who was travelling back to Srinagar, said the train would particularly benefit employees commuting between the twin capitals.
“This is the best mode of transport. One can travel to Kashmir and return the same day. The travel time has been reduced to less than four hours,” he said.
Students and other passengers also expressed happiness over the new service. “We are very happy. Earlier, we had to travel to Katra to board a train to Kashmir. Now, the train is available directly from Jammu,” said Veenta, a Class 12 student.
Mukhtar Ahmed said that earlier travel, especially for pilgrimages, was fraught with difficulties. “Now, we can directly reach Srinagar. It will save both time and money. Road travel often involved landslides and weather disruptions, which caused major hardships. These issues will now be minimised,” he said.
Sardar Parminder, a university student, termed the initiative a commendable step by the government. “Direct connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar is highly beneficial, especially for pilgrims and tourists,” he added.
The direct train service is expected to boost tourism, trade, and overall socio-economic development in the region while ensuring reliable, all-weather surface connectivity. (PTI)
