Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently unveiled a new chapter in travel for Jammu and Srinagar. The first direct Vande Bharat Express connects these two cities, drastically cutting the travel time to under five hours. This marks a significant improvement in connectivity for the region.
The train runs six days a week, covering about 266 kilometers. It departs from Jammu Tawi at 6:20 AM and arrives in Srinagar by 11:10 AM. The return journey starts at 8 AM and reaches Jammu by 12:40 PM. This new route alleviates travel woes frequently caused by road closures during harsh weather in the rainy season and winter.
Passengers can look forward to brief stops at Katra, Reasi, and Banihal stations. The addition of 20 coaches responds to high demand, particularly during busy tourist seasons like the Amarnath Yatra. In fact, over five lakh travelers have already used the previous service between Katra and Srinagar.
Historically, the Jammu-Baramulla rail line has been a long-term project, with roots dating back to the 1983 foundation stone laid by Indira Gandhi. The line faced delays, with its opening staggered over many years. Engineering feats like the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab and India’s longest railway tunnel add to its significance.
Vaishnaw mentioned that this service has already facilitated the transport of two crore kilograms of apples from Kashmir to Delhi. As for comfort, the train is equipped to handle extreme cold, even operating in minus-10-degree temperatures. Officials have integrated advanced electronics, with 3,000 microchips enhancing its performance.
With this new service, travelers won’t need to go to Katra to reach Kashmir by rail. Instead, they can board directly in Jammu. This shift not only opens new travel options but also stimulates local economies and tourism in the valley.
For more insights on India’s railway developments, you can refer to the Ministry of Railways’ official resources here.
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Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Jammu Tawi to Srinagar train timings, world
