Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat train to begin commercial run tomorrow

May 2nd is set to be a historic day for Jammu and Kashmir. Following its inauguration by the Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the much-awaited ‘Vande Bharat Express’ will officially commence its regular commercial service between Jammu and Srinagar starting May 2nd. This—the country’s most modern train—will not only connect the Kashmir Valley to Jammu at high speeds but will also completely transform the travel experience. *Tremendous Excitement for the Maiden Journey:* Unprecedented enthusiasm is being witnessed among passengers and the local public regarding tomorrow’s first official journey. According to reports, there was a massive surge in demand the moment ticket bookings opened for the first day’s trip. Many passengers are particularly excited to be a part of this historic moment.

Local residents of Jammu and Kashmir lauded this historic connectivity initiative, stating, “We have been waiting for this moment for years. The journey to Srinagar will now not only be shorter but also extremely pleasant, thanks to world-class amenities.”

The train will cover the distance between Jammu and Srinagar in the shortest possible time. This is expected to provide a fresh lease of life to the tourism sector. Local traders and Shikara owners in Srinagar have also welcomed this service, as it will make the movement of tourists easier and safer.

Continuing with this series of developments, on May 1st, the Additional Member (Traffic & Commercial) of the Railway Board visited Jammu Railway Station to review various key railway projects and passenger amenities. Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Jammu), was also present during this high-level meeting and inspection. The inspection focused on key areas, during which the official conducted a detailed examination of catering installations and base kitchens to ensure the quality of food and beverage services at the stations. He issued directives to ensure the provision of hygienic and nutritious food for passengers.

The progress of ongoing redevelopment works at the Jammu and Chandigarh stations, being carried out under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, was reviewed. He emphasized the importance of completing the work within the stipulated timeframe and enhancing the overall passenger experience.

A review was also conducted regarding the preparations underway for the regular operations of the Vande Bharat Express. Discussions focused on operational requirements, coach maintenance, and the availability of passenger amenities.

Speaking on this special train service, Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Jammu), stated, “This train will now operate with 20 coaches. Previously, the 8-coach train had a seating capacity of approximately 530 passengers. However, two pairs of 20-coach trains will now run on this route, enabling approximately 2,900 passengers to travel daily. This train will cover the distance between Jammu and Srinagar in a significantly reduced travel time.”