India, April 30 -- Union minister for railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday flagged off the extended Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express service from Jammu Tawi station, establishing a direct link between the two capital cities. While the inaugural run took place on Thursday, regular service between Jammu and Srinagar is scheduled to commence on May 2.

"The Vande Bharat service has been extended to Jammu from Katra. Now, a direct Vande Bharat between Jammu and Srinagar shall be available to the people. We have also increased rakes to 20 from eight because there was a huge demand by the people," Vaishnaw told reporters onboard the inaugural train.

He recalled how Prime Minister Narendra Modi first inaugurated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramu...