In a historic move that promises to transform travel for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the much-anticipated Vande Bharat train service today, connecting the picturesque region of Kashmir to Kanyakumari. This monumental event marks the realization of a dream that has been a century in the making.
While the inaugural journey commenced from Srinagar to Katra, the completion of the railway track signifies that soon, passengers will be able to travel seamlessly from Kashmir to the southern tip of India. In just a few weeks, this state-of-the-art train will facilitate direct travel for people from the Valley to Kanyakumari, making long-distance journeys more accessible than ever before.
Onboard the first Vande Bharat train, young women, girls, and boys from the Kashmir Valley expressed their excitement and joy. “It’s a dream come true for us,” one young traveler shared with News24. “This train will not only ease our travel to other parts of the country but also open up new opportunities for education and employment.”
The journey promises to be an exhilarating experience, as the train will traverse some of the most stunning landscapes in India, including the world’s highest railway bridge and breathtaking tunnels. The Manager of Indian Railways, present on board, told News24, “Today is a culmination of decades of hard work. The Prime Minister is dedicating this state-of-the-art train to the nation, and it’s a monumental day for Jammu and Kashmir.”
