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Journalism of Courage
Train to Kashmir, Jammu to Srinagar train: With the commissioning of the 272-km-long Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, Indian Railways (IR) has connected the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country through the rail network. However, passenger train operations from the Valley are still limited to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK).
The USBRL project is one of the most difficult new railway line projects undertaken in the country post-independence. This rail project covers the districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
After commissioning of USBRL project, Indian Railways have introduced 4 Vande Bharat services – train numbers 26401/26402 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra -Srinagar Vande Bharat Express and train numbers 26403/26404 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express to connect Katra with Srinagar.
Apart from these, six pairs of DEMU/MEMU services are catering to the Qazigund-Srinagar sector while 05 pairs of DEMU/MEMU services are catering to the Srinagar-Baramulla sector.
Indian Railways plans to extend the Srinagar–Katra and Katra–Srinagar services up to Jammu Tawi, enabling trains to operate to and from Jammu Tawi. However, the key question remains when this plan will come into reality and a direct train service between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar will finally begin.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on December 12, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that station redevelopment and infrastructure upgradation works are currently underway at Jammu station.
He noted that extending the Vande Bharat Express up to Jammu Tawi would be operationally feasible once these works are completed. The minister added that the extension would also depend on the completion of the required security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
“At Jammu station, Station development work & infrastructural enhancement work are presently under progress. The extension of Vande Bharat Express upto Jammu Tawi would be operationally feasible upon completion of the said work and completion of required security Standard Operating Procedure,” Vaishnaw said.
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