Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 30 

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday flagged off a 20-coach Vande Bharat Express between Jammu and Srinagar, expanding capacity on a key route and marking a milestone in all-weather rail connectivity to Kashmir.

The upgraded train, extended from eight to 20 coaches, was launched at Jammu station in the presence of junior minister Jitendra Singh, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and lawmakers including Ghulam Ali Khatana and Sat Paul Sharma.

Vaishnaw said the service had seen full occupancy since its introduction, with more than 5.50 lakh passengers carried so far. 

He described the route as a “lifeline” for the region, expected to boost tourism and ease the movement of goods.

The trains operating on the corridor are designed for sub-zero temperatures and high-altitude conditions, he said, adding that onboard catering now includes regional cuisines.

Improved rail connectivity has lowered logistics costs for essential commodities, the minister said, citing cement prices falling below Rs 50 per bag. 

Railways have also transported more than 20 million kg of apples from Kashmir to Delhi, with further gains expected in moving perishable produce such as cherries and dairy.

Two 20-coach Vande Bharat services are now running on the route, with authorities focusing on maintenance and operational stability across tunnels and mountainous terrain. 

Work is under way to double the line between Qazigund and Baramulla, while links including Poonch-Rajouri and an extension towards Uri are in planning stages.

The Centre is also redeveloping Jammu station and upgrading other facilities in the region, alongside broader connectivity projects on the national network.

Speaking to reporters onboard, Vaishnaw said the Jammu-Srinagar rail link would allow passengers from across India to access Kashmir with a single interchange at Jammu, with services operating twice daily.

He said that the railway was increasing capacity and installing automatic signalling and additional crossing stations to improve efficiency.

Special arrangements would be made for pilgrims during the annual Amarnath Yatra, officials said.

Jitendra Singh said the service would improve travel, logistics and business activity, and could increase tourist and pilgrim inflows.

After the launch, the minister inspected key infrastructure including the Anji Bridge and the Chenab Bridge on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link.