The stretch from Rajouri to Poonch along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Pir Panjal valley, and remote areas like Uri in north Kashmir, is set to be connected to India’s railway network. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the plan on Saturday while flagging off the Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express.
The latest addition of 20 coaches to the Vande Bharat series is said to be the first-ever rail link connecting Jammu and Srinagar, known as the twin capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
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This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Katra–Srinagar rail link on June 6, 2025. The service has now been extended to Jammu Tawi, creating a seamless connection between Jammu and Srinagar by rail.
The distance between the two cities is around 250 km and typically takes over five hours by road via NH-44. Railways claim the travel time will be reduced by nearly half with the new train service. Officials also believe the direct rail connectivity from Delhi to Srinagar will significantly boost tourism in the Kashmir Valley and offer a more reliable mode of transport for residents.
Railways eyes LoC connectivity despite terrain challenges
Railway officials said the infrastructure has been designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, including operations in temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius.
The strong passenger demand on the Srinagar–Katra route, where the existing eight-coach Vande Bharat has been running at full capacity, prompted the introduction of a longer 20-coach train on the Jammu–Srinagar route.
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However, expanding the railway network further into border areas will not be easy. The proposed 87-km stretch between Poonch and Rajouri presents significant engineering challenges due to rugged terrain and its proximity to the Line of Control.
Despite these constraints, officials said the Railways are determined to push ahead with the project and extend connectivity to some of the most remote and strategically sensitive regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
