PM to flag-off of Vande Bharat train to Kashmir tomorrow
Jammu, Jun 05: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw arrived in Jammu today ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit on June 6 to flag off the first-ever Vande Bharat Express service to Kashmir. This landmark moment marks a transformative leap in rail connectivity for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ashwini Vaishnaw was warmly welcomed at Jammu by senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament from Jammu-Poonch, Jugal Kishore Sharma. Soon after his arrival, the Union Minister conducted an on-ground review of infrastructure and passenger amenities at the Jammu Tawi Railway Station, which is currently undergoing redevelopment under the “Amrit Bharat Station” scheme.
The Union Railway Ministry has unveiled two semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra with Srinagar, promising a travel time of just 3 hours and 5 minutes—nearly cutting road travel duration in half. Currently, road journeys between these two regions can take anywhere between 6 to 8 hours, often affected by weather disruptions and hilly terrain.
According to railway officials, the first train (No. 26041) will depart Katra at 8:10 AM, reach Banihal by 10:00 AM, and arrive in Srinagar at 11:10 AM. The second train (No. 26403) will leave Katra at 2:55 PM and reach Srinagar by 6:00 PM via Banihal.
For the return journey, train number 26402, dubbed the Vande Bharat Jammu Tawi Express, will leave Srinagar at 2:00 PM, reach Banihal at 3:10 PM, and arrive at Katra by 5:05 PM. Meanwhile, train number 26404, the Srinagar–Jammu Tawi Vande Bharat Express, will depart Srinagar at 8:00 AM, arriving at Banihal by 9:02 AM and concluding at Katra by 11:05 AM. For now, these services will operate exclusively between Srinagar and Katra.
The Jammu Tawi station’s ongoing transformation into an “Amrit Station” aims to modernize its facilities and accommodate future expansions. Once this project is complete, the four Vande Bharat trains are expected to be extended all the way to Delhi, significantly enhancing long-distance rail travel to and from the Kashmir Valley.
Currently, railway operations in the Kashmir region run from Baramulla to Sangaldan. With the successful rail connection established between Sangaldan and Katra, the entire route from Baramulla to Jammu is now rail-accessible.
This new connectivity is being hailed as a game-changer, not just for residents but also for tourists, who will now be able to explore Kashmir’s scenic beauty with more ease and reliability. Unlike roads, these trains are expected to operate year-round, regardless of adverse weather conditions.
