Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today flagged off the extended Srinagar-Jammu Vande Bharat Express service from Jammu Tawi Railway Station. The train, which previously operated from Srinagar up to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, will now run up to Jammu Tawi.

 

The Regular services on the extended route will begin on Saturday. The train will now operate with 20 coaches instead of eight, which will significantly enhance the capacity, connectivity, and comfort. With the extension of Vande Bharat train, the passengers can travel between Jammu and Srinagar in less than five hours. Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were also present on the occasion.

 

 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Vaishnaw said that significant transformation has been witnessed in the railway sector over the past twelve years. He noted that following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the region has witnessed a continuous flow of development.

 

Mr Vaishnaw said, keeping in view the rising passenger demand, the number of coaches in this train has been increased from 8 to 20 coaches. He further informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Vande Bharat train service from Katra to Kashmir in June last year, and since then, more than five lakh fifty thousand passengers have availed of this service.

 

Our correspondent reports that the move is expected to particularly benefit pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine and those undertaking the Amarnath Yatra, as it enables a seamless rail journey connecting key pilgrim destinations without interchange.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express in June last year with eight coaches. Since then, the train has consistently been running at full capacity, with an overwhelming response from passengers. In view of the increasing passenger demand, the train has now been extended up to Jammu, and the number of coaches has been increased to 20.

 

The first service will depart from Jammu Tawi at 6:20 in the morning and will halt at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi, and Banihal stations. The train is scheduled to reach Srinagar at 11:10 AM, after completing the journey in around four hours and fifty minutes. On its return journey, the train will leave Srinagar at 2:00 in the afternoon and arrive at Jammu Tawi at 6:50 PM on the same day.