Ashwini Vaishnaw flags off Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express

JAMMU: Union railways curate Ashwini Vaishnaw connected Thursday flagged disconnected a 20-coach Vande Bharat Express betwixt Jammu and Srinagar, marking the archetypal nonstop obstruction nexus betwixt the 2 cities.

PM Narendra Modi had inaugurated the broader Katra–Kashmir work past year. Regular operations volition statesman May 2, with 2 pairs of trains moving six days a week.The bid volition halt astatine Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Banihal, and Srinagar, covering 267km successful astir 5 hours—significantly faster than the accustomed 8 to 9 hours by road. With expanded capableness from 8 to 20 coaches, each bid tin transportation astir 1,400 passengers, improving accessibility and convenience.J&K CM Omar Abdullah described the task arsenic “transformative,” noting its interaction connected connectivity, industry, and long-standing nationalist aspirations. He highlighted that the obstruction nexus would heighten some rider question and freight movement, including cement, nutrient supplies, vehicles, and section produce.Vaishnaw emphasised the train’s quality to run successful utmost conditions, including temperatures arsenic debased arsenic -10°C and dense snowfall, acknowledgment to precocious plan and passenger-friendly features.

He besides outlined aboriginal plans to grow obstruction connectivity to the Poonch-Rajouri portion and widen the enactment to Uri, with projects presently successful readying stages.Additional infrastructure upgrades, including enactment doubling and capableness enhancements, are underway. The redevelopment of Jammu Tawi presumption is progressing, portion doubling of the Jalandhar–Jammu conception is complete, and enactment continues connected the Qazigund–Baramulla stretch.These initiatives purpose to trim reliance connected weather-prone roadworthy transport, boost investment, make jobs, and fortify economical integration successful the region.