The Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express has carried nearly 45,000 passengers within the first 10 days of its regular operations.
According to the official data the four daily services on the route transported 44,727 passengers between May 2 and May 11, while 28,762 passengers travelled in the maiden week itself till May 8.
Two pairs of Vande Bharat trains currently operate on the corridor. This ensures at least two services daily on most days and one service each on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The service is not just transporting passengers but also strengthening economic activity and bringing Kashmir closer to the rest of the country through faster, affordable, and all-weather connectivity.
Pertinently, the historic 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, a landmark infrastructure project that connected Kashmir with the national rail network.
The services received a further boost on April 30 this year when Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the augmented 20-coach Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, significantly increasing passenger capacity on the high-demand route.
The two pairs of Vande Bharat trains have ensured dependable services for commuters, tourists, traders, and students alike. This all-weather connectivity is especially significant for Kashmir, where road travel has often been vulnerable to snowfall, landslides, and traffic congestion. The railway has now introduced a level of reliability and comfort that is changing the way people move, work, and plan their lives.
More importantly, this service is proving to be a catalyst for economic growth. Better connectivity translates into greater commercial activity, improved tourism prospects, and smoother movement of goods and services. Kashmir’s famed horticulture sector, handicrafts industry, and tourism economy stand to gain immensely from this enhanced link with the national market. The rail corridor opens new avenues for businesses and creates opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for the youth.
The Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is not merely a train; it is a lifeline of hope, development, and unity. It is bringing Kashmir closer—not only in distance but in spirit—to the rest of the nation. Its success is a clear reminder that when infrastructure meets vision, progress follows. For Jammu and Kashmir, this is not just a journey on rails; it is a journey towards a brighter future. |
