No green signal yet for Vande Bharat to Kashmir

Jammu, May 02 : The much-anticipated launch of the first Vande Bharat Express to the Kashmir Valley is likely to be delayed further .
According to senior railway officials, the delay follows the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, and there has been no fresh communication from the Centre regarding the inauguration schedule.
“In light of recent developments and based on indications from the central government, it is most likely that the launch of the Vande Bharat service to Kashmir will be deferred further,” said Udipan Sharma, a senior railway official based in Jammu, while speaking to Rising Kashmir.
Sources within the Northern Railways confirmed that both Vande Bharat trains designated for the route have been moved to the yard at Jammu Railway Station for safekeeping. They will remain stationed there until further instructions are issued.
“We usually receive advance notice regarding the flagging off of such services by the Prime Minister to make the necessary arrangements,” the sources said. “However, at this point, there has been no communication from the Government of India.”
Prime Minister Modi was earlier scheduled to flag off two Vande Bharat trains from Katra to Srinagar on April 19, followed by the inauguration of the world’s highest cable-stayed bridge in Reasi.