Residents of Jammu and Kashmir rejoice as Northern Railway rolls out Vande Bharat Express to Jammu, extending the popular Katra-Shrinagar route. This fulfills a decade-old aspiration, ushering in an era of swift and secure rail travel.
The journey from Jammu to Srinagar now takes under five hours, bypassing the perils of the Jammu-Srinagar highway, which grapples with seasonal blockages from snow and debris. Vande Bharat’s semi-high-speed prowess, coupled with state-of-the-art amenities like Wi-Fi, gourmet meals, and automated doors, redefines comfort on mountainous paths.
Anticipated gains include a tourism renaissance, bolstered trade corridors, and socio-economic upliftment for remote valleys. The extension leverages the fully operational USBRL network, launched by PM Modi in June 2025, in response to fervent demands from diverse stakeholders.
Indian Railways’ vision shines through this initiative, prioritizing remote regions and engineering marvels that withstand nature’s fury. With Jammu now on the Vande Bharat map, integration and opportunity knock louder than ever.