Udhampur included as stoppage for Vande Bharat Express
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: Describing commencement of the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express as a landmark achievement in the ongoing efforts to transform rail connectivity in J&K, Union Minister of State in the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh said that had Narendra Modi not become Prime Minister of the country, the train to Kashmir would never have reached.
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“Although the first train had reached Jammu as early as 1972, it took around 50 years for it to reach Srinagar, as further expansion into the Kashmir Valley was taken up in right earnest only after Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister in 2014,’ he said, while addressing the gathering at Jammu Railway Station during the flagging off ceremony in the presence of Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and others.
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Dr Jitendra Singh said, the introduction of this direct train service between Jammu and Kashmir is set to significantly enhance ease of travel, improve logistics efficiency, and promote ease of doing business across the region. He said the commencement of the Vande Bharat Express between Jammu and Srinagar fulfills a long-standing aspiration of the people of the region.
The Minister emphasized that improved rail connectivity is expected to lead to a substantial rise in pilgrim inflow to important destinations in the region, while also facilitating seamless and efficient movement of security personnel. He highlighted that enhanced connectivity would reduce travel time, improve access to remote areas, and integrate local economies more closely with national markets.
Underscoring the economic significance of the project, the Minister stated that the new rail service will play a pivotal role in strengthening supply chains and reducing transportation costs for essential commodities and local produce.
Highlighting the cultural and tourism potential, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the rail corridor passes through some of the most picturesque and previously less accessible locations, including areas such as Sangaldan in Ramban district which were not easily accessible earlier. With improved accessibility, these scenic destinations are likely to witness increased tourist footfall and renewed interest from filmmakers. He observed that Jammu & Kashmir has historically been a favoured destination for film shooting, and the new connectivity is expected to revive that legacy by making remote and pristine locations more reachable.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enabling this landmark direct rail connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar, Dr Jitendra Singh recalled earlier milestones and mentioned that PM Modi had personally visited the region to inaugurate the Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station soon after assuming office in 2014, reflecting the Government’s continued focus on improving connectivity and infrastructure in the region.
Dr Jitendra also expressed gratitude to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for taking keen interest in expansion of rail network in Jammu and Kashmir and conceding his requests with regard to developmental and public issues, such as including Udhampur station among stoppage for the Vande Bharat Express.
Pertinent to mention that the Vande Bharat train between Jammu and Srinagar will now have a stoppage at MCTM Udhampur Station.
Later, the Minister travelled on the Vande Bharat Express with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station and the Chenab bridge.
Speaking to reporters on board, Dr Jitendra Singh stated that this is like a pilot rail project, given its technological sophistication and execution in challenging Himalayan terrain, and is perhaps the first-of-its-kind in the world. He informed that the experience and learnings from this project will now be replicated in other hilly and mountainous regions, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Northeastern States.
Afterwards, Dr Jitendra Singh also accompanied Vaishnaw for inspection of Anji Bridge and Chenab Bridge along the Vande Bharat Express route.
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