Vande Bharat Jammu-Srinagar direct service flagged off April 30
Synopsis
After nearly 70 years of national aspiration and ₹28,000 crore in investment, a direct 20-coach Vande Bharat Express will finally connect Jammu and Srinagar starting April 30. With Kavach safety tech, six-days-a-week service, and all-weather connectivity across the Himalayas, this is more than a train launch — it is the fulfilment of a post-Partition infrastructure dream.
Key Takeaways
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off the Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat on 30 April 2025 ; public services begin 2 May 2025 .
The 20-coach train covers 267 kilometres from Jammu Tawi (JAT) to Srinagar , running six days a week (no service on Tuesdays).
The historic Katra–Srinagar rail link was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 6 June 2025 at a cost of ₹28,000 crore .
The project was nearly 70 years in the making, with work beginning in the late 1990s .
The train features the Kavach anti-collision system, GPS-based passenger info, and rotating seats built with indigenous technology .
An earlier 8-coach train operated between Katra and Srinagar; the new 20-coach service significantly expands passenger capacity.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off a direct 20-coach Vande Bharat Express between Jammu and Srinagar on 30 April 2025, with regular public services commencing on 2 May 2025. The launch marks the first direct Vande Bharat service on the historic Jammu–Kashmir rail corridor, covering 267 kilometres across some of the world's most challenging Himalayan terrain.
Key Details of the Service
The 20-coach Vande Bharat train will originate from Jammu Tawi (JAT) and terminate at Srinagar. Simultaneously, a return service will depart from Srinagar to Jammu on the same day. The train will operate six days a week, with no service on Tuesdays. A trial run was conducted on Tuesday from Jammu to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra ahead of the inaugural run.
Engineering Marvel Behind the Route
The rail link connecting Katra town in Reasi district of Jammu division to the Kashmir Valley was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 June 2025. The project, which began in the late 1990s, cost a staggering ₹28,000 crore and took nearly 70 years of national aspiration to realise. Trains had reached Udhampur as early as 2005, and the first train operated within the Kashmir Valley in October 2008, but a full valley-to-Jammu link remained elusive until 2025.
Amenities and Technology on Board
Built using indigenous technology, the Vande Bharat Express features the 'Kavach' anti-collision safety system, a GPS-based passenger information system, and comfortable rotating seats. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal described it as offering passengers a
Point of View
The absence of a rail link to the Kashmir Valley was both a logistical gap and a symbolic one. Now that the corridor is operational, the real measure of success will be ridership consistency, pricing accessibility for ordinary Kashmiris, and whether the all-weather promise holds during harsh winters and geological disruptions that have historically plagued the region. The ₹28,000 crore investment demands accountability beyond the inauguration optics.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Vande Bharat Jammu-Srinagar service start for the public?
Regular public services on the Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat route begin on 2 May 2025. The inaugural flag-off by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is scheduled for 30 April 2025.
How long is the Jammu to Srinagar Vande Bharat route?
The Vande Bharat Express covers a total distance of 267 kilometres between Jammu Tawi (JAT) and Srinagar. The route traverses challenging Himalayan terrain across the Jammu and Kashmir union territory.
How many days a week does the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat operate?
The train operates six days a week. There is no service on Tuesdays on the Jammu–Srinagar route.
What safety features does the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat have?
The train is equipped with the 'Kavach' anti-collision safety system, a GPS-based passenger information system, and rotating seats. It has been built using indigenous technology and is described as offering a world-class travel experience.
How much did the Jammu-Kashmir rail link cost and when was it completed?
The rail link between Katra in Jammu division and the Kashmir Valley cost ₹28,000 crore and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 June 2025. Work on the project began in the late 1990s, fulfilling a nearly 70-year-old national aspiration.
