Jammu, Dec 31: Nearly 3.75 lakh passengers have travelled on the Vande Bharat Express services across Jammu and Kashmir in the past six months, marking a major milestone for the Jammu Railway Division in its inaugural year of operations, officials said on Wednesday.
The premium train service connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra with Srinagar was launched on June 6 following the completion of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, establishing all-weather rail connectivity between the Valley and the rest of the country.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said the division has shown steady growth in passenger movement, freight operations, and revenue generation despite initial challenges. “The Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar has so far been availed by nearly 3.75 lakh passengers across two train pairs,” he said.
Since becoming operational on June 1 after its inauguration in January 2025, the division has diversified freight operations by handling consignments ranging from military equipment to commercial cargo. The Jammu–Pathankot–Punjab Rail Corridor Scheme, launched in September, facilitated the transport of over 20,000 tonnes of apples, while the Anantnag goods shed handled 1.5 lakh tonnes of cement and other commodities.
Infrastructure upgrades included the redevelopment of Baijnath Paprola station under the Amrit Bharat Scheme, commissioning Reasi as a Vande Bharat stoppage, introduction of a Katra–Amritsar service to boost religious tourism, and educational visits to the Chenab Bridge.
Kathua Railway Division also played a vital role during emergencies, operating special trains amid crises such as the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and the August floods, where a flood-relief special train ran between Katra and Sangaldan.
Enforcement drives detected over 63,000 cases of ticketless or irregular travel, resulting in ₹3.72 crore in fines. Fake tickets were also seized during checks. Ten staff members received the PCCM Award on December 29 for exemplary service, including reuniting missing passengers and assisting those in distress.
Non-fare income rose through digital advertising, LED branding, and station kiosks, while new business avenues—such as cargo services, molasses and paper traffic, and wildlife transport operations—added fresh revenue streams.
Fifteen cherry rakes were dispatched from Jammu and Katra to Bandra during the harvesting season, and leased SLR coaches were introduced for the first time to enhance cargo efficiency.
Declaring 2026 as the “Year of Technology”, the division aims to integrate AI-driven systems to improve policing, monitoring, and passenger services. Officials said the division’s performance in its first year reflects “rapid institutional stabilisation, improved revenue, freight growth, and stronger logistical capacity,” positioning it as a key driver of regional connectivity and commerce.
