J&K Vande Bharat Express Hits 3.75 Lakh Passenger Milestone in Six Months Post-USBRL Launch
Jammu December 31, 2025:- The Jammu Railway Division has recorded a monumental milestone in its inaugural year, with nearly 3.75 lakh passengers traveling on the Vande Bharat Express across Jammu and Kashmir over the last six months.
This surge in ridership follows the historic June 6 flagging off of the premium service connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar, a move made possible by the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal noted that the division has successfully established all-weather rail connectivity for the Kashmir Valley, overcoming initial logistical constraints to deliver world-class transit and steady revenue growth since the division’s formal notification in June 2025.Beyond passenger milestones, the division has transformed into a strategic logistics powerhouse for Northern India.
Infrastructure upgrades under the Amrit Bharat Scheme and the strategic use of the Jammu-Pathankot-Punjab Rail Corridor have facilitated the movement of over 20,000 tonnes of apples, supporting the region’s vital horticulture sector. The Anantnag goods shed has emerged as a critical hub, handling over 1.5 lakh tonnes of cement and managing specialized rakes for foodgrains and automobiles.
In a significant strategic development, the railway infrastructure was utilized for the first time to induct military trains carrying heavy artillery and tanks into the Valley, drastically enhancing national security and strategic mobility in the border region.
The year was also marked by the division’s rapid response to regional emergencies and its commitment to fiscal discipline. Following the August 26 floods, the division operated relief specials between Katra and Sangaldan and maintained 24/7 monitoring during periods of heightened security.
On the revenue front, the division bolstered non-fare income through digital advertising and branding within Vande Bharat coaches. Rigorous enforcement drives successfully detected 63,000 cases of irregular travel, recovering ₹3.72 crore in penalties.
As the Jammu Railway Division concludes its first year, officials highlighted its role as a primary driver for regional transport, logistics, and employment, signaling a new era of connectivity for Jammu and Kashmir.