Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, recently informed the Lok Sabha that the Government has introduced four pairs of new train services in the Jammu Division during 2025-26, including two pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains, significantly enhancing rail connectivity in the region.
The newly introduced train services include Jammu Tawi - Srinagar Vande Bharat Express trains, Amritsar - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra - Budgam Express.
The trains are catering to the travel needs of passengers using Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Udhampur, Banihal, Srinagar, and Budgam stations, among others.
For decades, rail connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir remained limited due to the region’s difficult terrain and security challenges. The completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project has changed this reality. With the introduction of the Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, the Amritsar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express, and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Budgam Express, railway travel has entered a new phase of speed, comfort, and accessibility.
The Vande Bharat Express, India’s flagship semi-high-speed train, is much more than a symbol of technological advancement. For the people of Jammu & Kashmir, it represents improved mobility, reduced travel time, and greater convenience. The new services connect key destinations such as Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Udhampur, Banihal, Srinagar, and Budgam, making travel smoother for commuters, students, businesspersons, tourists, and pilgrims alike.
Tourism, one of the primary pillars of Jammu & Kashmir’s economy, is expected to receive a substantial boost. Easier and faster rail access to the Kashmir Valley will encourage more domestic tourists to visit the region throughout the year. The direct connectivity to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra will also facilitate pilgrimage tourism, benefiting thousands of devotees while creating additional opportunities for local businesses, transport operators, hotels, restaurants, and handicraft traders.
Beyond tourism, improved rail connectivity has wider economic implications. Reliable transportation lowers logistics costs, enhances market access for local products such as apples, dry fruits, saffron, and handicrafts, and attracts greater private investment.
Better connectivity also encourages industrial growth and creates employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. The railway network acts as an economic lifeline that integrates regional markets with the rest of the country. |
