Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Udhampur district on April 19 to inaugurate the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, marking a significant milestone in enhancing rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced.
Initially, the train will commence operations from Katra, as Jammu railway station is currently under construction. Emphasizing the significance of the launch, Singh stated:
“PM Narendra Modi will visit Udhampur on April 19 to inaugurate the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat, and the service is being started from Katra temporarily because of the Jammu railway station being under construction… This will be a grand event connecting Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country.”
A Historic Railway Route
The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will operate on a route that passes through two of India’s most iconic railway structures:
- Anji Khad Bridge – India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge
- Chenab Bridge – The world’s highest railway bridge
The train is specially designed to withstand the cold climate conditions of the Kashmir Valley, ensuring smooth and efficient operations in the region.
Vande Bharat’s Growing Popularity
The first trial run for this route was successfully conducted on January 23, between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) railway station and Srinagar.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the increasing global interest in India’s semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains, stating that several countries have expressed interest in importing these advanced train models.
Since its launch, the Vande Bharat Express has been regarded as a ‘Make in India’ success story, with its first service inaugurated on February 15, 2019, on the New Delhi-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi route at a speed of 160 km/h.
Growing Demand and Occupancy
During the financial year 2022-23, approximately 31.84 lakh passengers booked tickets for Vande Bharat trains, with an overall occupancy rate of 96.62%, reflecting its growing popularity among travelers.
With the introduction of the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat, this modern rail service is expected to boost tourism, trade, and connectivity in the region while reinforcing India’s commitment to railway infrastructure development.