SRINAGAR, April 30, 2026 : Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday flagged off the first direct Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, calling it a landmark achievement and promising further rail expansion to remote regions like Uri, Poonch, and Rajouri.
🛤️ Expansion Plans Announced
Vaishnaw revealed that:
- DPRs are ready to connect Poonch–Rajouri with the national rail network
- A rail link to Uri (border town in Baramulla) is also planned
- Work on these projects is expected to begin soon
🚆 A Lifeline for J&K
Calling the service a “lifeline”, the minister highlighted:
- 100% occupancy in earlier 8-coach trains
- Now upgraded to 20 coaches, boosting capacity to ~1400 passengers
- Seamless all-weather operations, even in –10°C and heavy snowfall
📦 Big Boost to Trade & Economy
The Vande Bharat service is already transforming logistics:
- Cement prices dropped by ₹50 per bag
- Over 2 crore kg fruits transported बाहर of Kashmir
- Movement of cars, bikes, and goods made faster and cheaper
🇮🇳 Leaders Present
The flagging-off ceremony was attended by:
- CM Omar Abdullah
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh
Both leaders hailed the project as a game-changing step for connectivity, tourism, and economic growth.
🏗️ Historic Rail Milestone
The train runs on the ambitious Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), part of the ₹43,780-crore project connecting Kashmir with the rest of India—initiated in the late 1990s.
This development builds on the milestone achieved when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Katra–Srinagar link in June 2025.
📦 CM Pushes for Dry Port
CM Omar Abdullah also urged the Centre to establish an inland (dry) port in J&K to enable local customs clearance and further boost exports and trade.
