Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today attended the flag-off ceremony marking the historic extension of the Vande Bharat Express service from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Jammu, enabling for the first time a direct rail connection between Jammu and Srinagar.

The train was flagged off by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw in the presence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, PP/DoPT, Atomic Energy, Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, Members of Parliament Sat Paul Sharma and Ghulam Ali Khatana, several MLAs, along with senior officials from the Government of India, Northern Railways and the Jammu and Kashmir administration.

Addressing the gathering prior to the flag-off ceremony, the Chief Minister described the occasion as “a day long awaited by the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” emphasizing that the extension of the Vande Bharat Express to Jammu marks not just improved connectivity, but the beginning of a transformative phase in the region’s development.

Congratulating the Union Government and the Railway Ministry, the Chief Minister recalled the inauguration of key infrastructure projects, including the iconic Chenab Railway Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge, nearly ten months ago. He noted that what was once seen as a major engineering feat has now evolved into a highly popular and widely utilized mode of transport.

Highlighting the overwhelming response to the rail service, he said the demand has grown so significantly that the train’s capacity has been expanded from 8 coaches to 20 coaches, increasing passenger capacity from around 500 to nearly 1,400 in a single journey. With two such trains operating, nearly 2,800 passengers will now be able to travel daily between Jammu and Srinagar, significantly easing travel and enhancing convenience.

“The success of this railway is not merely in passenger travel,” the Chief Minister remarked, underlining its growing role in freight movement. He pointed out that the rail network has already begun facilitating the transportation of goods, including cement, food supplies and vehicles, into the Valley. Notably, automobiles are now being transported directly to Srinagar by rail, marking a significant logistical breakthrough.

Equally important, he added, is the outbound movement of goods from Jammu and Kashmir. “Our fruits, milk and dairy products are now reaching markets outside J&K efficiently through this rail network,” he said, stressing that this enhanced connectivity will strengthen local industries and open new economic avenues for farmers and producers.

In a forward-looking appeal, the Chief Minister urged the Railway Minister to consider establishing an inland dry port in Jammu and Kashmir. He said such a facility would enable customs clearance and streamline export processes within the region, eliminating the need to route goods through other cities. “This will not only benefit our businesses but also contribute to the country’s overall economic growth,” he asserted.

Calling the day historic, the Chief Minister said that for the first time, people of Jammu and Kashmir can seamlessly travel between Jammu and Srinagar by train, reducing dependence on road transport and significantly improving accessibility.

“This is the day we had been waiting for years,” he said. “Today, a dream has been realized. With this rail link, Jammu and Kashmir is more connected than ever before.”