SRINAGAR: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh on Friday said a third Vande Bharat train on the Jammu-Srinagar route would be launched soon, while the Railways has approved a halt at Udhampur following a public demand.
In a video message, Singh said the additional Vande Bharat service would mark a significant development in rail connectivity for Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the approval for an Udhampur stop was particularly important as such a halt had previously been considered unfeasible. Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Railways and the Railway Minister for approving the demand.
Highlighting the expansion of rail connectivity in the Union Territory, Singh said Jammu railway station was established in 1972, but it took nearly five decades for the network to progress further into the region.
He attributed the subsequent expansion to the period after Modi became Prime Minister, saying rail connectivity was extended from Jammu to Kathua, Udhampur and eventually the Kashmir Valley.
Singh said extending railway services to the Valley had been considered challenging because of the region’s mountainous terrain, but the project was completed despite the difficulties involved.
He also cited the construction of the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Reasi as a major engineering achievement.
According to Singh, the railway route has also become a tourist attraction, with visitors travelling by train between Jammu and Srinagar to experience the landscape along the route.
