In a major development for rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir the direct Vande Bharat Express service between Jammu and Srinagar is likely to begin operations from April 30 as per reports and the launch of the train was earlier scheduled for March 1 but was postponed due to unavoidable reasons and now preparations have been completed and the new date is expected to go ahead without further delay.
At present two Vande Bharat trains are already running between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar and one of these trains is now likely to be extended up to Jammu and now this move is aimed at improving passenger convenience and meeting the growing demand for direct travel to the Kashmir Valley.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is expected to flag off the train and railway authorities have already carried out necessary inspections on the route and security arrangements for the launch have also been put in place.
Officials say the direct train will be especially helpful for passengers and pilgrims traveling for the Amarnath Yatra which is set to begin from July 3 and the train will allow smoother travel to Kashmir without passing through the Ramban stretch of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which is often affected by landslides and falling stones especially during the rainy season.
The train service between Katra and Srinagar was earlier flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6 last year and the extension to Jammu is being seen as a significant step towards strengthening rail connectivity in the region and overall the direct Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat train is expected to make travel faster, safer and more convenient for both locals and tourists.
