Vinod Bhat
Srinagar, Jan 27 ; With developmental achievements in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370, the introduction of the Vande Bharat train could be a game changer for the promising future of Kashmir and its economy.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Vande Bharat Express train is a dream come true for millions of people in Kashmir, as it will directly connect them with mainland India.
The people in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir are considering this development as a dream come true, and they believe that in the near future, Kashmir’s destiny will change regarding business opportunities. In addition, it provides a solution for transportation.
Mohammad Yaseen, President of the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Association (KTMF), told Kashmir Despatch that the new connectivity is a positive step. It will make travel much easier and will provide a direct connection to New Delhi. He mentioned that during the winter months, people in Kashmir often struggle with air travel due to skyrocketing fares. However, with this connectivity, everyone will be able to travel with ease, and it will significantly boost business.
He noted that although a direct connection to Kashmir has not yet been approved, the government understands the reasons behind this delay. Overall, this development is a game changer for the economy of Kashmir.
Yaseen added that travel costs will become cheaper, and in the near future, when goods transport is established, it will be a complete game changer for the business sector. He stated that goods will be transported directly from Delhi, which will save time and reduce costs, ultimately benefiting the business industry as a whole.
Yaseen expressed that the introduction of goods carriers will be very beneficial for us. He hailed Vande Bharat as a great starting point for a bright future for the business industry.
Asia’s second largest fruit Mandi Sopore President Fayaz Ahmad Malik told Kashmir Despatch that the Vande Bharat train is a significant achievement for Kashmir, as it will not only reduce travel time but also open up business opportunities. He said that there is currently some gap in services, but we are confident that once the government addresses it, it will be a game changer for the overall economy of Kashmir.
Fayaz, alais Kakaji, remarked that everyone prefers an easy and safe mode of transportation, and the Vande Bharat train is the best option for people to connect directly with New Delhi in a short period of time.
He emphasized that the Vande Bharat train benefits everyone, whether they are students, traders, or ordinary citizens.
He expressed his happiness about this achievement and is hopeful that many more business opportunities will arise, ultimately benefiting the economy of Kashmir.
The National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), Nasir Khuehami, told Kashmir Despatch that there are more than one lakh students studying outside Kashmir. He noted that whenever there is a natural calamity in Kashmir, especially during the winter months when it snows, the normal airfare skyrockets, creating difficulties for students. However, the Vande Bharat train could provide significant relief for the student community.
He stated that with affordable fares and a convenient journey, students can easily travel home to various parts of the country.
He described the Vande Bharat train as a sign of relief for the student community.
Speaking to Kashmir Despatch Adil Shah, a local, said that “we, as Kashmiris, should be genuinely happy about this achievement because it will ultimately help us grow our businesses.” He emphasized that “we should view this positively, as the direct train service from Delhi to Kashmir will benefit us in a broader perspective.”
He stated that there wouldn’t be any negative impact on road transport, citing examples from states where train services operate alongside road transport. He emphasized that we should not focus on the negative aspects; rather, we should celebrate this achievement as a development that will benefit our future.
He mentioned that the people coming here by train will obviously contribute to Kashmir’s economy, as they will use road transport once they arrive, which will benefit the business sector, and we should all be happy about it.
Abid, another local resident, told Kashmir Despatch that this direct train service will provide numerous advantages, including saving valuable time. He explained that previously, the journey from Delhi to Kashmir took three to four days, but now it will only take a few hours.
Abid also noted that the fares will be lower, making travel more accessible for everyone. Earlier, the cost of traveling to Delhi was around 5,000 to 7,000 INR, but now the minimum fare will be reduced.
Haya Javeed, another local resident, said that the direct train service will benefit the general public the most. He pointed out that ordinary Kashmiris will particularly benefit, as the middle class often faced difficulties traveling due to high fares or a lack of transportation options. However, with this train, they can easily travel to Delhi and other destinations with lower fares.
He explained that during the winter, many people faced significant challenges when roads were closed due to bad weather, which sometimes led to emergencies being put on hold. Now, with this train service, there is a sense of relief.
Pertinently, the Vande Bharat Express, which is specially designed to operate seamlessly in Jammu and Kashmir’s challenging winter conditions, completed a trial run on Saturday.
The train, on its maiden trial run on Saturday, arrived at Srinagar station from Katra in Jammu at 11:30 AM. The train later moved to Budgam station to complete its trial run.
Earlier this month, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described it as a historic moment and a dream come true.
“A historic moment and a dream come true! The trial run of the Vande Bharat Express train from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station, Katra, to Budgam has been successfully completed. Congratulations to Indian Railways officials and the team working on the ground,” he said in a post on X.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed gratitude and optimism during the inauguration of the new Rail Division of Jammu at the Jammu-Tawi Railway Station earlier this month. The event, marked as a historic milestone for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, was inaugurated and addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conference.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the train from Katra, as the Commissioner of Railway Safety has given the green signal for running the train service on the Katra-Baramulla section. The date of the flag-off has not yet been announced.
