Jammu, April 30: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday flagged off the extended 20-coach Vande Bharat Express from Jammu, expanding its service up to the region and significantly boosting capacity on the Jammu–Srinagar rail corridor.
Addressing the event, Vaishnaw said that strengthening maintenance practices remains key to ensuring safety and security, while the next major focus is on increasing capacity through track doubling on the Jammu–Srinagar rail line.
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“The next focus is to increase the capacity of the Jammu to Srinagar rail line. Doubling of the Qazigund to Arinagar stretch will allow more trains to operate on this route,” he said, adding that advanced railway technologies similar to those used in Europe are being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the impact of the rail link on freight movement, the minister said over 2 crore kilograms of apples have been transported from Kashmir to Delhi, while 32 bogies have been booked for cherry shipments, giving a boost to horticulture and trade.
Vaishnaw said the Vande Bharat service on the Jammu–Katra–Srinagar route has witnessed an overwhelming public response, running at 100 per cent occupancy, with more than 5.5 lakh passengers having travelled so far.
He added that the train has been specially designed to operate in extreme winter conditions, including temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius, with upgraded systems and advanced electronics.
Omar Abdullah, who was present on the occasion, said the expansion from 8 to 20 coaches will now allow nearly 1,400 passengers to travel in a single trip, calling it a major step in strengthening connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.
He also highlighted how the rail service is supporting cargo movement, including transport of cement, vehicles and fruits from Kashmir to other parts of the country, and stressed the need for a dry port and customs clearance facilities within Jammu and Kashmir.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Railway Ministry for completing the long-pending rail link to the Kashmir Valley.
The Vande Bharat Express, which earlier operated between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, will now run up to Jammu Tawi, connecting the Valley directly with one of the region’s largest railway hubs.
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The train was initially launched with 8 coaches in June 2025 and has consistently witnessed high demand, prompting authorities to upgrade it to a 20-coach rake to accommodate growing passenger traffic, especially during peak tourist and pilgrimage seasons.
