The Ministry of Railways announced on 30 April 2026 that Jammu had been directly linked with Kashmir by passenger train for the first time. Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the extended Srinagar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express service up to Jammu Tawi Railway Station. The ministry said that, with one interchange at Jammu, passengers from anywhere in India can now access the Kashmir Valley through a connected rail corridor.
The extension also increased the train's capacity from 8 coaches to 20 coaches. The Minister said the Vande Bharat service had seen full occupancy since its launch after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Jammu-Srinagar rail link on 6 June of the previous year. The train has been designed for the region's demanding climate, including sub-zero temperatures, and uses advanced electronics and high-end semiconductor-based systems. Dogri cuisine has also been introduced onboard to reflect regional culture.
The release linked passenger connectivity with freight integration and local economic gains. The completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, along with the Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge, has enabled all-weather connectivity. Nearly 2 crore kilograms of apples have already been moved from Srinagar to the rest of India by rail. Cement, foodgrains, fertilizer, salt and milk are also being transported, strengthening essential supply chains and reducing road dependence in a terrain exposed to landslides, snowfall and harsh winters. Future works include Jammu Tawi station redevelopment, Qazigund-Baramulla doubling, Poonch-Rajouri rail link planning and the Uri-Baramulla extension.