The railway line between Jammu and Kashmir represents more than just metal and wood; it symbolises connection and support. However, this promise was temporarily delayed this week when the Vande Bharat Express was scheduled to begin service between Srinagar and Jammu on March 1. According to railway officials, the date change is due to factors beyond control. Due to these reasons, the Railway Board will likely not release any updates about when the train service may begin; however, a new date has not yet been provided.
A Milestone Deferred
Northern Railway released a statement regarding the launch of their service only two hours before making their announcement. This extension from the now large amount of travel from the current to Jammotral (in the capital) between the two capitals of the Union Territory was widely considered the biggest advance towards connecting the two capital cities of the Union Territory.
The inauguration of Vande Bharat by PM Modi at the Srinagar Katra railway station in June of this past year marked a very significant change in Kashmir’s rail system and helped improve rail connectivity to Kashmir from the rest of the country. Now, the proposed extension to travel (to Jammotra) will help facilitate travelling and reduce the logistical burden on passengers.
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Demand Outpaces Capacity
Rapidly gaining popularity among travellers, the Katra to Srinagar train has attracted a level of demand that exceeds supply. Many passengers wishing to travel between Katra and Srinagar have difficulty getting a seat due to limited coach availability and frequency of trains.
To anticipate future demand, Northern Railways announced its plans to increase the number of coaches operating between Katra & Srinagar from 8 to 20 on this route. This expansion will enable Northern Railways to expand their train operations on this route and give them confidence in the growth potential of this route.
As it stands now, there is still no direct rail link between Kashmir & the rest of India, as services that run from across India (to Kashmir) continue at Katra only. As always, passengers travelling to or from Srinagar must continue to change trains; however, the railroad will extend its service area and provide train service to Jammu.
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A Step Closer to a Larger Goal
The broader goals remain unchanged despite the setback. Officials see the Sringar-Jammu extension as part of ultimately achieving a direct train from Srinagar to Delhi. This will considerably improve access and reduce dependence on road/air travel for people, companies, and students.
Although the temporary hold may let down many who saw 1st March as a milestone, it is common for large infrastructure projects to not be completed as quickly in difficult environments.
The entire valley and surrounding plains are anticipating this connection happening soon. The railroad is there. There is a clear need for this connection. The only thing that we need to do now is to receive the clearance to proceed.
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