Jammu, Feb 24: In a serious increase to rail connectivity inside Jammu and Kashmir, a 20-coach Vande Bharat Specific will function between the dual capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar from March 1, officers stated The premium prepare service which has been working between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar for the previous over eight months, will now be prolonged as much as Jammu Tawi,Senior Divisional Business Supervisor Uchit Singhal stated The service was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6 following the inauguration of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Hyperlink (USBRL) venture, which offered the Valley all-weather rail connectivity.
Singhal stated the prepare, at the moment working between Srinagar and Katra with an eight-car Vande Bharat rake, will now run between Jammu and Srinagar with an upgraded 20-car rake.
The one pair of trains working on this part ferries practically 1,400 passengers every day, he stated.
The Vande Bharat Specific between Katra and Srinagar has been availed by practically 3.75 lakh passengers throughout two pairs of trains in its first six months of operation, marking a major milestone for the Jammu Railway Division in its inaugural yr, the official stated.
The Jammu railway division, which takes care of operational command within the Union territory, was inaugurated in January 2025 and notified from June 1.
Since then, it has expanded freight operations by establishing items sheds and dealing with consignments starting from navy gear to business cargo from completely different elements of the nation, Singhal added.
In response to officers, the Jammu-Pathankot-Punjab rail hall scheme, launched on September 15 to strengthen horticulture logistics, has facilitated the motion of over 20,000 tonnes of apples from Kashmir.
The Anantnag items shed has emerged as a key cargo hub, dealing with greater than 1.5 lakh tonnes of cement, managing vehicle rakes, Meals Company of India foodgrain rakes and different commodities similar to plastic crates, insulated panels and salt.
For the primary time, navy trains carrying tanks and artillery weapons have been inducted into the Valley, considerably enhancing strategic mobility, officers stated.
Railways additionally operated cherry consignments from Katra and Jammu to Bandra throughout Could-June, with a number of rakes leased out for the primary time.
Residents of the dual capital cities have welcomed the choice, saying the direct Vande Bharat service between Jammu and Srinagar will make quicker and seamless journey between the 2 cities a actuality, officers stated.
