BJP Women's Wing Demands Vande Bharat Train on Jammu-Chandigarh-Haridwar Route

Key facts

• Neha Mahajan, BJP Mahila Morcha J&K president, submitted memorandum to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
• Memorandum submitted in presence of BJP J&K President Sat Sharma and Mahila Morcha General Secretary Urvashi Gupta.
• Only Hemkunt Express (14609/14610) operates on Jammu–Haridwar route with limited AC capacity.
• Tatkal bookings exhausted within minutes, causing passenger inconvenience.
• Haridwar holds religious significance for Hindu and Sikh communities; many travel for Shri Hemkund Sahib Yatra.
• No daily direct train between Jammu and Chandigarh, a major educational and commercial hub.
• Proposed Vande Bharat Express would boost religious tourism, regional connectivity, and economic activity.
• Train would also benefit pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra.

Connectivity Crisis on the Jammu–Haridwar Corridor

The BJP Mahila Morcha of Jammu and Kashmir has formally demanded the introduction of a Vande Bharat Express train on the Jammu–Chandigarh–Haridwar route, highlighting a severe shortage of rail connectivity that is causing daily hardship for thousands of passengers. The demand was presented in a memorandum to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on April 30 in Jammu. The memorandum was submitted by the Morcha’s state president, Advocate Neha Mahajan, in the presence of BJP J&K President and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma, as well as Mahila Morcha General Secretary Urvashi Gupta. The delegation stressed that the current rail services are woefully inadequate for the region’s needs.

Only One Train, Limited Capacity

At present, only the Hemkunt Express (train numbers 14609/14610) operates on the Jammu–Haridwar route, and it has very limited air-conditioned coach capacity. This makes it extremely difficult for passengers to secure confirmed tickets, Mahajan said in the memorandum. Even Tatkal bookings, which are meant to offer last-minute confirmed seats, are exhausted within minutes of opening, leaving a large number of travelers without viable options. The shortage is particularly acute during peak pilgrimage seasons.

Religious and Economic Significance

Haridwar holds great religious importance for both Hindu and Sikh communities. A large number of devotees from Jammu and Kashmir travel for the annual Shri Hemkund Sahib Yatra, and the lack of adequate train services causes considerable inconvenience, Mahajan emphasised. Additionally, students studying in Chandigarh and people traveling for education, medical treatment, and business purposes are facing serious difficulties due to poor rail connectivity. There is currently no daily direct train between Jammu and Chandigarh, a major educational and commercial hub, further adding to public inconvenience.

Proposed Solution: Vande Bharat Express

The memorandum strongly proposed that the introduction of a Vande Bharat Express on the Jammu–Chandigarh–Haridwar route would significantly enhance passenger convenience, promote religious tourism, improve regional connectivity, and contribute to economic growth. Mahajan argued that the proposed train would also benefit pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra, as it would provide a faster and more comfortable link to the region. She urged the Railway Minister to consider the demand at the earliest in the larger public interest.

Political Context and Next Steps

The demand comes from the BJP’s own women’s wing, underscoring the party’s focus on infrastructure development in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The memorandum was submitted under the guidance of Sat Sharma, who has been a vocal advocate for improving public infrastructure and connectivity in the region. Neha Mahajan expressed confidence that the Government will take a positive decision on the proposal. The Railway Ministry has not yet issued a formal response, but the demand is expected to be evaluated in the context of ongoing efforts to expand the Vande Bharat network across India.

The bottom line

• BJP Mahila Morcha J&K president Neha Mahajan submitted a memorandum to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw demanding a Vande Bharat Express on the Jammu–Chandigarh–Haridwar route.
• Only the Hemkunt Express currently serves the route, with limited AC capacity and Tatkal tickets selling out within minutes.
• The lack of connectivity affects pilgrims traveling for Shri Hemkund Sahib Yatra and students, patients, and business travelers heading to Chandigarh.
• No daily direct train exists between Jammu and Chandigarh, a key educational and commercial hub.
• The proposed Vande Bharat train is expected to boost religious tourism, regional connectivity, and economic activity, also benefiting pilgrims to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
• The Railway Ministry has yet to respond, but the demand aligns with the government's push to expand Vande Bharat services nationwide.