Direct Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express begins commercial service
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The first direct Vande Bharat Express connecting Jammu and Srinagar began commercial operations on Saturday, two days after being inaugurated by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The 20-coach semi-high-speed train will run six days a week, except Tuesdays, and reduce travel time between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar to less than five hours, according to railway officials.
Previously operating only between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, the train service has now been extended to Jammu Tawi.
The flower-decorated train departed from platform number 7 of Jammu railway station amid celebrations. Uchit Singhal, senior manager of the Jammu Division, described the launch as a major milestone for rail connectivity in the region.
“Today marks the dawn of a new era with the commencement of the Vande Bharat train service from Jammu to Srinagar,” Singhal said, calling it a significant achievement for modern rail travel and the “Make in India” initiative.
The train covers the 272-kilometre route in approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes. Officials said the same journey by road previously took between 12 and 24 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Two pairs of trains will operate daily on the route, serving tourists, pilgrims, and local passengers.
As per the schedule, the first train leaves Jammu Tawi at 6:20 am and reaches Srinagar at 11:10 am, stopping at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi, and Banihal. On the return trip, it departs Srinagar at 2 pm and arrives in Jammu Tawi at 6:50 pm.
Officials said the inaugural Jammu-to-Srinagar service carried around 940 passengers, while a second train had 995 passengers onboard. More than 1,990 passengers travelled on the return services from Srinagar to Jammu.
Passengers described the launch as a “dream come true” and a “game-changer” for the region.