Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off a 20-coach Vande Bharat Express between Jammu and Srinagar on 30 April, while regular passenger services for the public will begin from 2 May.
The new direct train service is expected to cut travel time between the twin capitals of Jammu & Kashmir, improve connectivity, support tourism and provide a reliable all-weather transport link. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Major Step in Kashmir Rail Connectivity
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the first direct train service between Katra and Srinagar on 6 June 2025. That service is now being extended up to Jammu Tawi Railway Station, giving passengers a longer and more convenient direct route.
This extension is being seen as another important milestone in linking Kashmir with the rest of India through rail.
Journey Through Challenging Terrain
Officials said the modern 20-coach Vande Bharat train will begin its maiden run from Jammu Tawi and travel to Srinagar through some of the most difficult mountain terrain in the region.
At the same time, another train will depart from Srinagar towards Jammu.
Before the official launch, a successful trial run of the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat was carried out from Jammu to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra earlier this week.
Distance and Weekly Schedule
The train will cover a total distance of around 267 kilometres.
Railway officials said the service will run six days a week in both directions:
- Jammu to Srinagar
- Srinagar to Jammu
There will be no service on Tuesdays.
Modern Features for Passengers
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said the Vande Bharat train has been built using indigenous technology and offers a world-class travel experience.
Important features include:
- Kavach safety system
- GPS-based passenger information system
- Comfortable rotating seats
- Modern interiors
- Faster and smoother journey
He said the service will reduce travel time and help the local economy and tourism sector.
Tourism Expected to Rise
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the development and said it would definitely help tourism.
He noted that train capacity had been limited until now because only an eight-coach train was running between Katra and Srinagar.
Now, with a 20-coach train, many more passengers will be able to travel, which is likely to increase visitor numbers and ease bookings.
Long Journey of the Rail Project
The ₹28,000-crore rail project connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country began in the late 1990s.
Important milestones include:
- 2005: Train services reached Udhampur
- October 2008: First train started in Kashmir Valley
- 2025: Valley linked through difficult Pir Panjal terrain
- 2026: Jammu-Srinagar direct Vande Bharat begins
The Pir Panjal mountain range had remained one of the biggest engineering challenges in completing the route.
Final Word
The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is set to transform travel in Jammu & Kashmir. With faster journeys, more seats, better comfort and year-round connectivity, the train is expected to become a major support for tourism, trade and daily travel across the region.
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