Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has accepted yet another demand of Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express train will now stop at Anantnag. It has been a long-pending demand of South Kashmir to have a train halt at Anantnag. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah flew to New Delhi and met Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw to articulate the demand. Wasting no time, the Ministry of Railways approved a commercial stoppage for the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express at Anantnag. Omar has also drawn the attention of the Railway Minister to the scheduled closure of Srinagar International Airport from October 1 to October 15, 2026. Jammu and Kashmir government is pushing for increasing the train frequency during these days to avoid any inconvenience to the travellers. The government is right in seeking alternatives. October marks the beginning of the festive season across the country. It is the time when tourism season peaks before a lull. We need to have an alternative for smooth tourist movement. Improved rail services would benefit visitors planning to spend Durga Puja holidays in Kashmir. Vande Bharat Express train has become a lifeline for people in Jammu and Kashmir. On April 30, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the 20-coach Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express. The two pairs of Vande Bharat services operating on the corridor run six days a week except Tuesdays. Together, they ensure that the crucial Jammu–Kashmir corridor is served by 4 train services a day, at least five days a week. Each Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 train services also continuously serve the high-demand route, offering to-and-fro movement for locals, tourists, pilgrims, and traders alike. Tourists who once found the Valley logistically challenging now ride through the engineering marvels of the Chenab and Anji bridges from the comfort of a Vande Bharat seat. The Vande Bharat is also the most affordable option on the corridor. The train does not merely connect two cities; it takes you through one of the most picturesque rail routes in the world. The Centre has already told Parliament that the 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla rail link has been completed. Now, the government should increase the frequency of the train all year round. Plus, Kashmir needs full connectivity with the rest of the country. The government should consider direct trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and other places. This will not only increase our tourism traffic, but will push our trade and commerce. Our handicrafts will directly reach the markets. This way, our exports will surge, and our artisans will benefit. PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have been kind to help J&K. As always, people hope that the leaders will not disappoint them this time round too.