JAMMU, Apr 29 : The long-awaited direct Vande Bharat train service between Jammu and Srinagar is set to be launched on Thursday, marking a major milestone in railway connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Northern Railway will operate train number 02601, which will be flagged off from Jammu by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the presence of Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Officials said the extension of the existing Srinagar–Katra Vande Bharat service up to Jammu will establish direct rail connectivity between the winter and summer capitals of the Union Territory, significantly reducing dependence on road travel along the Jammu–Srinagar national highway.
Regular operations of the service are scheduled to begin from May 2, with the train expected to run six days a week, except Tuesdays, as per the preliminary timetable.
According to railway authorities, the train will depart Jammu at around 6:50 am and reach Srinagar in the late morning, while the return service will operate from Srinagar in the morning hours, completing the journey in nearly four to five hours.
The service will run through some of the most challenging railway infrastructure in the country, including long tunnels and engineering marvels such as the Chenab Rail Bridge, considered the world’s highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Khad cable-stayed bridge.
Railway officials said the Vande Bharat rake has been upgraded to increase passenger capacity from eight to 20 coaches, improving availability for travellers. The train is equipped with modern facilities, including the indigenous Kavach safety system, GPS-based passenger information system, and ergonomically designed rotating seats.
Senior railway officials said the service is expected to improve travel reliability between Jammu and Srinagar, particularly during winters and highway disruptions, when road connectivity is often affected due to weather and landslides.
The introduction of direct rail connectivity is also expected to boost tourism and economic activity by offering seamless travel options for passengers arriving from across the country via Jammu Tawi railway station.
Officials said the service will also benefit government employees, including those engaged in darbar move-related duties, by reducing travel time and providing an alternative to road congestion.
The railway authorities described the project as part of a broader effort to integrate the Kashmir Valley more closely with the national rail network, improving both passenger convenience and regional connectivity.
With the commissioning of the Jammu–Srinagar stretch, officials said the rail link will complete a significant phase of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla railway project, which has been under execution for several decades.
