Following the successful launch of twin Vande Bharat trains on the Srinagar–Katra route, marking the completion of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla rail link in June, Northern Railways is now working towards providing direct rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country, an official has confirmed. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Jammu Division, Uchit Singhal, said that efforts are underway to resolve operational and security challenges to achieve this milestone for Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to PTI after introducing a two-minute stoppage for the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express at Reasi station, Singhal described the initiative as part of the vision to integrate Kashmir fully into India’s railway network. “The Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 June, marked a historic moment as the first rail service linking Kashmir with Kanyakumari. The journey has begun with the launch of the Katra–Srinagar service, and work is progressing to enable direct train connectivity between Kashmir and other regions of the country,” he said. From Thursday, the Srinagar–Katra Vande Bharat Express (train numbers 26401 and 26402) will halt for two minutes at Reasi station. Train 26401 departs from Katra at 8:10 a.m., arriving at Reasi at 8:28 a.m., before continuing to Srinagar, while train 26402 returns to Reasi at 4:34 p.m. Singhal added that the new stoppage at Reasi, introduced on a one-month experimental basis with Railway Board approval, was in response to strong local demand and the station’s strategic importance as a district headquarters. Passenger feedback and commercial viability will determine whether the halt becomes permanent. Previously, Banihal was the only stop on this route, serving as a vital trans-shipment point. “Adding Reasi as a stopover will further enhance regional connectivity, benefitting pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and tourists heading to the Chenab Bridge and nearby attractions,” Singhal said. He noted that the Katra–Srinagar train service has been widely appreciated for its speed, comfort, and reliability. During heavy rains in August and September, when road links were disrupted, Indian Railways operated a special train between Katra and Banihal for a month to ensure uninterrupted travel. Senior BJP leader and MLA Reasi, Kuldeep Raj Dubey, who joined the train’s inaugural run from Reasi to Srinagar, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for addressing the long-standing public demand. BJP district president Rohit Dubey welcomed the move, expressing hope that the Railway Ministry would also approve a special train between Reasi and the region’s iconic landmarks — the world’s tallest Chenab railway bridge and India’s first cable-stayed Anji bridge — to boost tourism and create employment opportunities.