JAMMU, April 29 -- The long-awaited direct Vande Bharat train service between Jammu and Srinagar is set to be launched on Thursday, marking a major milestone in railway connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Northern Railway will operate train number 02601, which will be flagged off from Jammu by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the presence of Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Dr Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Officials said the extension of the existing Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat service up to Jammu will establish direct rail connectivity between the winter and summer capitals of the Union Territory, significantly reducing dependence on road travel alon...