Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 03
The Railway Board has approved an experimental stoppage of the Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express at Anantnag in south Kashmir, a move expected to improve rail access for residents and visitors to the region.
The stoppage is likely to begin by the end of September, although the exact date and timings have yet to be announced.
In a communication dated August 17, the Railway Board directed Northern Railway to introduce the halt from an “early convenient date”, subject to security clearance and other operational requirements.
The order, issued under reference number 2025/CHG/13/NR/18-PART (24), approved the stoppage of trains 26401 and 26402 at Anantnag.
The board directed railway authorities to monitor ticket bookings and passenger response at the station to assess the viability and performance of the stoppage.
It also asked officials to publicise the new service and confirm implementation.
Tourism operators and traders in south Kashmir welcomed the decision, saying the direct connection could make it easier for visitors to travel to destinations including Pahalgam without first going to Srinagar.
“We had requested the Central government for a halt at Anantnag because tourism-related business had come to a standstill. Now it is good news for tourism,” said Muhammad Syed Nanda, chairman of the South Kashmir Tour Operators Association.
The halt would create opportunities for local restaurants, roadside eateries, tea stalls, transport operators and other businesses, Nanda said.
“Tourists can get down at Anantnag and travel directly to Pahalgam and other destinations. They will not have to go to Srinagar first,” he said.
The Trade Federation Anantnag said the stoppage had been a long-standing demand of the area’s business community.
“This was a long-standing demand of the people of South Kashmir, particularly the business community,” said its chairman, Shah Sajad Hakeem.
Hakeem thanked Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi for supporting the demand.
“Anantnag is the commercial hub of South Kashmir. Improved rail accessibility will make travel easier for traders and contribute positively towards tourism, employment generation and the local economy,” he said.
Local businesses near the station also expect an increase in passenger traffic.
“Passengers had to go to Srinagar or Banihal to board the Vande Bharat Express,” said Abdul Rashid, a tea-stall owner at Harnag-Anantnag railway station.
Anantnag is a major railway station between Banihal and Srinagar and serves as a gateway to destinations including Pahalgam, Kokernag, Verinag, Daksum, Achabal, Chatapal, Sinthan Top, Margan Top and Aharbal.
The stoppage is also expected to improve access to the Vande Bharat service for passengers from Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama.
Vaishnaw announced the proposed halt in June after meeting Omar Abdullah, during which the expansion of railway services in Jammu and Kashmir was discussed.
The Railway Board has not yet issued the final operational schedule for the Anantnag stoppage.
