Srinagar: As the first direct Vande Bharat Express from Jammu entered the Kashmir Valley on Thursday, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Centre will now focus on extending rail connectivity to remote regions including Poonch, Rajouri and Uri.
Speaking after the flagging-off ceremony, Vaishnaw said detailed project reports (DPRs) have already been prepared for connecting the Poonch-Rajouri belt with the national railway network and for extending the line to Uri in Baramulla district.
The minister described the Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express as a “major landmark” that has emerged as a lifeline for the Union Territory. He said the train has been witnessing 100 per cent occupancy, prompting the Railways to increase its capacity from eight to 20 coaches.
The service was initially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, between Katra and Srinagar, and has now been extended to Jammu Tawi Railway Station.
Vaishnaw said the train will significantly reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar, provide an all-weather connectivity option, and boost tourism and trade in the region.
Highlighting the economic impact, he said the rail service has enabled the transportation of goods such as cement, vehicles and agricultural produce. Cement prices have reportedly dropped by ₹50 per bag, while nearly 20,000 tonnes of apples and other fruits have been transported to markets across the country.
The minister added that the train is designed to operate in extreme weather conditions, including temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius and heavy snowfall, making it suitable for the region’s challenging terrain.
The development follows the completion of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a ₹43,780-crore project that connects Kashmir with the rest of India. Work on the project began in the late 1990s, with train services first introduced in the Valley in October 2008.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the move, saying the people had waited decades for direct rail connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. He noted that the train has not only eased passenger travel but also facilitated the movement of goods, boosting trade.
Abdullah also urged the Centre to establish an inland (dry) port in the Union Territory to simplify customs clearance for exports.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the direct rail service will further accelerate economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir while making travel easier for tourists and pilgrims.
