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Northern Railway Boosts Vande Bharat Capacity 2.5x, Extends to Jammu Tawi

Northern Railway has extended the Vande Bharat Express service from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Jammu Tawi, increasing the train's capacity by 2.5 times from 8 to 20 coaches. The inaugural special train will depart on April 30, operating at 160 km/h with enhanced security features like CCTV. Officials say the extension will ease travel for passengers and students while boosting tourism in the region. The train is designed for all-weather connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir's challenging climate.

Key Points: Vande Bharat Extended to Jammu Tawi: Capacity Up 2.5x

  • Vande Bharat Express extended to Jammu Tawi from Katra-Srinagar route
  • Train capacity increased from 8 to 20 coaches, a 2.5x boost
  • Inaugural special train (No. 02601) departs Jammu Tawi on April 30
  • Train features CCTV, regenerative braking, and 160 km/h operational speed
2 min read

'Capacity increased by 2.5 times': Northern Railway on Vande Bharat extension to Jammu Tawi

Northern Railway extends Vande Bharat Express to Jammu Tawi, increasing capacity by 2.5 times with 20 coaches. New service starts April 30.

"It is a matter of happiness for the people of Kashmir that Vande Bharat has been extended to Jammu. - Kapil Sharma, Chief Area Manager, Northern Railway"

Srinagar, April 29

Chief Area Manager of Northern Railway, Kapil Sharma, on Wednesday said that the extension of Vande Bharat Express up to Jammu Tawi will ease the travel for the passengers and will provide a major relief.

Speaking to ANI, he underlined that previously there were 8 coaches in the Vande Bharat Express, which has been increased to 20 coaches now, underlining that the capacity of the train has been increased by 2.5 times.

"It is a matter of happiness for the people of Kashmir that Vande Bharat has been extended to Jammu. Previously, it used to have 8 coaches; now it will have 20 coaches, increasing its capacity by 2.5 times. I congratulate everyone. Travel for the passengers and students will be eased, and the problem of waiting time will be sorted out to a great extent. We have made some changes to the infrastructure of the train. So, there is no issue of maintenance from our end. The timetable of the train is almost the same as before. The middle class will face relief from this," he said.

The statement comes as Srinagar gears up to welcome the Vande Bharat Express as Northern Railway extends the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express up to Jammu Tawi.

This extension will be inaugurated on April 30, operating as an Inaugural Special Train (No. 02601) departing from Jammu Tawi (JAT).

The train will operate at an operational speed of 160 km per hour.

CCTV cameras have been installed in the train for enhanced security, along with an energy-efficient regenerative braking system.

This specialised Vande Bharat Express stands as an outstanding example of indigenous engineering, designed to provide passengers with a safe, fast, and comfortable travel experience amidst the challenging weather conditions of Jammu & Kashmir.

Earlier, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal commented on the modern Vande Bharat train.

"The operation of this specialised Vande Bharat in the Jammu & Kashmir region fulfils a long-standing demand of both passengers and local residents. Our objective is not merely to provide faster travel, but also to ensure 'all-weather' connectivity, even amidst the biting cold of the Valley. This train will serve as a strong and reliable bridge connecting devotees travelling to Vaishno Devi with the Kashmir Valley, while simultaneously boosting tourism in the region."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Suresh O
Good initiative but 160 kmph operational speed in hilly terrain? Let's see how that works practically. The Kashmir route has tight curves and steep gradients. Hope Northern Railway has done proper safety assessments before claiming such speeds.
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Priya S
As someone who travels regularly from Jammu to Katra for Mata Vaishno Devi darshan, this is wonderful news. More capacity means less rush during peak seasons. And CCTV cameras plus regenerative braking - modern safety features are always welcome. 🙏
R
Ravi K
Middle class relief indeed! Earlier we had to wait for hours in queues for tickets. Now with 20 coaches, more seats available. But ticket prices should also remain affordable. Vande Bharat is great but sometimes costlier than Shatabdi. Let's hope the fare is reasonable.
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Arjun K
This is exactly what we needed in J&K. The all-weather connectivity feature is crucial - our winters are brutal but trains still run. Modern infrastructure like this will also boost local tourism and business. Proud moment for Indian engineering! 🇮🇳
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Neha E
Extension is good but what about intermediate stations like Udhampur and Banihal? Many passengers board there too. The timetable should remain convenient - sometimes these trains skip smaller stations. Hope they haven't forgotten the common passenger's needs.
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