Jammu, April 22: The much-anticipated direct Vande Bharat Express service between Jammu and Srinagar is likely to commence on April 30, with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expected to flag off the inaugural run from Jammu Railway Station, officials said on Tuesday.
According to official sources quoted by Kashmir News Corner (KNC), all arrangements for the launch—including infrastructure readiness, trial runs, and security protocols—have been completed for establishing direct rail connectivity between the two capital cities.
Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh is also expected to attend the inaugural ceremony along with senior railway officials and other dignitaries.
Officials said that both the train sets and railway tracks are fully prepared, and successful trial runs have already been conducted on the route. Security measures have also been put in place ahead of the formal launch.
At present, Vande Bharat services operate between Katra and Srinagar. The new arrangement will extend the service up to Jammu, with revised schedules expected to be announced by the railways shortly.
The introduction of a direct train service is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar and improve overall connectivity between the Jammu and Kashmir regions.
The development comes ahead of the annual shift of the Civil Secretariat to Srinagar in early May and is also expected to facilitate smoother travel for pilgrims undertaking the Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3.
Officials noted that while the rail link is likely to provide crucial support during disruptions on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, the highway will continue to remain a primary route for passenger and goods transport across the region.
