How Vande Bharat, J&K's new lifeline, cuts Jammu-Srinagar trip to 4.5 hours

The Vande Bharat Express service between Jammu and Srinagar has emerged as a new lifeline for Jammu and Kashmir, rapidly becoming the preferred mode of transport for both locals and tourists. The semi-high-speed, all-weather train has not only significantly improved connectivity between the Union Territory’s twin capital cities, but has also given a major boost to tourism, the backbone of J&K’s economy.

The train service has become one of the most sought-after modes of transport during the peak tourist season, with tickets running fully booked on most days. Travel time between Jammu and Srinagar has now been reduced to less than five hours.

The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat service was inaugurated by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on April 30 this year. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Vande Bharat train service between Katra and Srinagar, connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country through the rail network.

One of the most significant features of the train is its ability to operate in all weather conditions, including sub-zero temperatures, making it especially crucial for the region.

To experience the journey firsthand, I, along with my cameraman, travelled on the state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express from Jammu to Srinagar. We booked Executive Class tickets to get the best experience of the journey.

The train was scheduled to depart from Jammu Tawi railway station at 1.20 pm and arrive in Srinagar at 6.05 pm. Though it left Jammu at 1.30 pm, it reached Srinagar at 6 pm, five minutes ahead of schedule. The journey between the two cities took just four hours and 30 minutes, something that would have been unimaginable a few years ago.

Before reaching Srinagar, the train halted at the following stations: Shaheed Capt Tushar Mahajan Udhampur station for 2 minutes; Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra for 5 minutes and Banihal for 2 minutes.

Even before the scheduled departure, passengers had started arriving at Jammu Tawi railway station well in advance, and the excitement for the journey was palpable. As soon as the train arrived at Platform No 7, enthusiasm among passengers surged. Many were seen taking selfies and recording reels as the sleek train pulled into the station.

Once the doors opened, passengers boarded with excitement and quickly settled into their seats. After taking my seat, I noticed passengers enthusiastically admiring the surroundings through the train’s large glass windows. Soon after departure, bottled water was served, followed by tomato soup for passengers who had opted for meals.

During the journey, I interacted with several passengers onboard. Speaking to India Today, many expressed happiness over the launch of the train service and thanked the government for making travel between Jammu and Srinagar more convenient.

"It has been a great experience. This train service saves time and is extremely convenient. The Vande Bharat Express is now my preferred mode of transport between Jammu and Srinagar," said a passenger from Jammu who works with the defence forces.

Another passenger said, "I want to thank the government for starting this service. It is going to give a major boost to tourism in Jammu and Kashmir."

A government employee posted in Srinagar told me that the train had transformed his routine.

"Earlier, I used to think twice before travelling home on weekends. Now, I visit my family almost every weekend. This has become possible only because of this train service," he said.

Meanwhile, catering staff dressed in uniform served meals to passengers, followed later by traditional Kashmiri kehwa tea.

During the journey, I also spotted J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma travelling onboard the train.

"This train service has become possible because of the efforts of PM Modi. Earlier, the road journey between Jammu and Srinagar could take 10 to 12 hours. Now, we can reach Kashmir in about four hours. Connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country through the rail network is one of the biggest achievements of the Modi government over the last 12 years," Sat Sharma told India Today onboard the train.

The train’s first halt was at Shaheed Caption Tushar Mahajan Udhampur railway station, where it stopped for two minutes. Several passengers boarded from the station, which holds strategic importance as it is home to the Army’s Northern Command headquarters.

The station was renamed in 2023 in honour of Caption Tushar Mahajan, who made the supreme sacrifice during an anti-terror operation in Pampore in South Kashmir in 2016. He was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra.

The next stop was Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station, where the train halted for five minutes. Katra serves as the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage and remains one of the busiest railway stations in the region.

I witnessed a large number of devotees boarding the train from Katra en route to Srinagar after completing their pilgrimage. After they settled into their seats, I interacted with some of them to get their reactions to the Vande Bharat service.

"We are from Odisha. We completed our yatra and had darshan at the Vaishno Devi shrine. Now we are travelling to Srinagar to spend a few days there. It has become extremely convenient to travel to Kashmir now," a family said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by several other devotees onboard.

One of the biggest highlights of the journey is the world’s highest railway bridge built over the Chenab river in Reasi district. The engineering marvel stands 359 metres above the river bed, taller than Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower.

The bridge has been designed to withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 8 and wind speeds of up to 266 kmph.

As the train approached the bridge, excitement among passengers became clearly visible. Many had been eagerly waiting for this moment throughout the journey. Passengers recorded videos on their phones, while others rotated their seats towards the windows for a better view.

Cheers and applause erupted inside the coach as the train crossed the bridge, with many passengers chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram".

"It is a proud moment for all Indians that the world’s highest railway bridge has been built in our country. We commend all the engineers and workers involved in this historic achievement," a passenger told me.

Another traveller remarked, “Indian Railways has achieved something remarkable. This train service will bring transformative changes to Jammu and Kashmir and provide a major boost to its economy.”

A third passenger said he specifically chose to travel on the Vande Bharat train to witness the Chenab bridge firsthand.

The train’s final halt before entering the Kashmir Valley was Banihal, the last town in the Jammu region on the route to Srinagar. After a brief two-minute stop, the train resumed its journey.

Within minutes of leaving Banihal, I could see passengers enjoying sweeping views of South Kashmir’s villages and paddy fields through the train’s large glass windows.

A Kashmiri Pandit travelling onboard became emotional as the train passed through his native area.

"I work with a private organisation and frequently visit the Valley for professional reasons. This train has made travel much easier. But every time I see my native place from the window, I become emotional. These houses and paddy fields remind me of the happier days before 1990, when we lived here peacefully. We were forced to leave due to terrorism. I was studying in Class 8 at the time. The memories of 1990 still haunt us," he said with moist eyes.

"While the train service is a welcome development, the security situation is still not fully conducive for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their ancestral villages. We hope the government will address our concerns and mitigate our sufferings," he added.

Nearly an hour after departing from Banihal, the train finally arrived at Srinagar station at exactly 6 pm, five minutes ahead of schedule.

The Jammu-Srinagar journey had been completed in just four hours and 30 minutes.

As I deboarded the train at Srinagar station, I noticed a young man carrying a ukulele on his shoulders. During our interaction, he revealed that he was a Kashmiri Pandit visiting the Valley for the first time.

“I was born in 1999, nine years after the exodus. I have heard countless stories about Kashmir from my parents and elders. I wanted to experience it myself. It is our land and we hope things improve,” he said before singing a few Hindi and Kashmiri songs.

The journey ultimately ended on a musical note.

- Ends