JAMMU: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday announced that the much-awaited direct Vande Bharat train between Jammu and Srinagar will begin service in September after the ongoing work at Jammu railway station is completed.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to the Jammu station, Vaishnaw said work is still ongoing. "By September, platforms 5 and 6 will be ready," he said. "Once that's done, the Vande Bharat trains will start running directly between Jammu and Srinagar."

His visit was part of preparations for the launch of train services to Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to flag off the Vande Bharat trains from Katra on Friday. He will also inaugurate the Chenab and Anji railway bridges, considered engineering marvels. In addition, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various infrastructure projects worth Rs 46,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the launch of the Vande Bharat service, calling it a big step for the region.

Speaking to reporters, Omar said the idea for this train project began when he was still in Class 7. "It has taken a long time, but finally it's happening. This train will benefit everyone," he said.

He also added that the new rail service would reduce dependence on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, which is often closed due to bad weather or landslides. "When the highway shuts, airlines hike their prices unfairly. A Rs 5,000 ticket suddenly costs Rs 20,000. This train will end that exploitation," he said.

Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh visited the Katra railway station and inspected the Vande Bharat train ahead of the Prime Minister's visit.

The train service from Katra to Srinagar was initially set to be launched in April. However, due to bad weather, the ceremony was cancelled. Operation Sindooor, India's retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, further delayed the inauguration of the rail link.