Jammu, Feb 25: In a major boost to rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, a 20-coach Vande Bharat Express will operate between the twin capitals of Jammu and Srinagar from March 1, officials said.
The premium train, which has been running between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar for over eight months, will now be extended up to Jammu Tawi, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said. The service was initially flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6 following the inauguration of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, providing the Valley with all-weather rail connectivity.
Singhal added that the train, currently operating between Srinagar and Katra with an eight-coach Vande Bharat rake, will now run between Jammu and Srinagar with an upgraded 20-coach rake.
During its first six months of operation, the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar served nearly 3.75 lakh passengers across two pairs of trains, marking a significant milestone for the Jammu Railway Division in its inaugural year.
The Jammu railway division, responsible for operational command in the Union Territory, was inaugurated in January 2025 and became fully functional from June 1. Since then, it has expanded freight operations by setting up goods sheds and handling consignments ranging from military equipment to commercial cargo from various parts of the country, Singhal said.
Officials highlighted that the Jammu-Pathankot-Punjab rail corridor scheme, launched on September 15 to strengthen horticulture logistics, has facilitated the movement of over 20,000 tonnes of apples from Kashmir. The Anantnag goods shed has become a key cargo hub, managing over 1.5 lakh tonnes of cement, automobile rakes, Food Corporation of India foodgrain rakes, and other commodities including plastic crates, insulated panels, and salt.
For the first time, military trains carrying tanks and artillery guns were inducted into the Valley, significantly enhancing strategic mobility. Railways also operated cherry consignments from Katra and Jammu to Bandra during May-June, with multiple rakes leased out for the first time.
