The request, contained in a letter dated November 2 and made public on Thursday, November 12, seeks the minister’s personal intervention to retain the station on the train’s regular stopping pattern. No decision approving a permanent halt has been announced by the Railway Ministry.
Abdullah said the experimental stoppage had been welcomed by people in Jammu and Kashmir and had improved convenience for commuters. He described its continuation as a matter of considerable public importance, for travellers who depend on Anantnag as their access point to rail services.
The Chief Minister identified Anantnag as a major commercial and transport centre serving a large population across adjoining districts. A regular Vande Bharat stop, he argued, would allow passengers from south Kashmir to use the service without having to rely on stations farther from their homes or businesses.
He also linked the proposed change to economic activity, saying improved access could support trade and tourism alongside passenger journeys. The argument places the station’s wider catchment area, rather than Anantnag town alone, at the centre of the request.
In his letter, Abdullah wrote: “I would, therefore, request your personal intervention in having the experimental halt at Anantnag Railway Station converted into a permanent halt, keeping in view the genuine needs and aspirations of the people of South Kashmir.”
The appeal does not seek the introduction of a new train. It concerns the status of an existing experimental stop and whether that arrangement should become part of Vande Bharat operations. The distinction matters because passengers can currently benefit from the halt without any assurance that it will remain in the timetable indefinitely.
The Railway Ministry would have to consider the request before a permanent stoppage could be confirmed. The Chief Minister’s letter does not specify a proposed implementation date, revised timetable or the duration of the experimental arrangement. Nor does it provide passenger counts or other numerical evidence of demand at Anantnag.
Abdullah’s intervention follows the expansion of Vande Bharat connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar, which has created additional travel options between the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region. The Chief Minister acknowledged the Centre’s investment in the railway network while asking that the benefits extend to passengers in south Kashmir.
He described the introduction of the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat service as a significant milestone for regional connectivity and an opportunity to encourage economic development. His letter coupled that appreciation with a specific operational request, rather than calling for a broader change to railway policy.
Anantnag’s location makes it a practical boarding point for people travelling from neighbouring areas, including Kulgam and Shopian. A permanent stop could reduce the need for some passengers to travel elsewhere to board the train, although the extent of any time or cost savings has not been quantified.
For passengers, the immediate issue is predictability. An experimental halt offers access while it remains in force, but a permanent designation would provide greater certainty for planning journeys. The Chief Minister’s request reflects that difference without establishing whether the Railway Ministry will accept the proposal.
The correspondence also highlights the relationship between major rail investments and access at intermediate stations. Faster connections between principal cities do not necessarily give every district the same convenience, particularly when passengers must make separate journeys to reach a scheduled stop.
Abdullah maintained that Anantnag’s role as a transport centre justified retaining the facility. He said the stop would benefit a substantial number of passengers and contribute to commercial activity across the region, although the letter did not identify businesses or tourism projects expected to gain.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that Vaishnaw would consider the proposal favourably. The request is directed to the Union Railway Minister because changes to the train’s regular stopping arrangements require action by the railway authorities, rather than a decision by the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
The letter specifically concerns the Vande Bharat Express service linking Jammu and Srinagar. It does not seek additional stations, increased service frequency or changes to fares. Its central operational proposal is limited to keeping the existing Anantnag halt in place on a permanent basis.
