Draft:How to get Kashmir and back

How to get Kashmir and back? What are the means of Transportation to visit Kashmir?

AIR (Flight) Flights depart from Delhi daily. They range from about INR 5000 in the winter season to anywhere between INR 7000 to INR 10000 in the summer. The flight takes about one hour. Auto or Two-wheelers are not allowed within 1km of Srinagar Airport (SXR) or Sheikh Ul Alam International Airport. Therefore, you have the option of hiking the distance to the main road or taking a car. The car costs INR 1000 to 1200 from the airport to the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) which is located a five-minute walk (INR 100 rickshaw) around the corner from the Dal Lake where much of the accommodation is located. When leaving for the SXR airport there is a bus that runs four times a morning (9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 12:30 pm) from the TRC to the airport costing INR 60, taking around 40 minutes to reach Srinagar Airport.

TRAIN As per Govt. the announcement by 2024 in its 1st quarter Indian Railway will be giving a trial of a new Train that will connect Jammu to Srinagar Railway Line. Not only that but Kashmir is now home to the world's tallest railway bridge. Some 29 meters (over 95 feet) taller than the Eiffel Tower, located over the Chenab River. This Bridge sits 359 meters (around 1,180 feet) above the Chenab River. After decades of construction, the bridge in the northern part of India will be open to visitors by the end of December 2023 or January 2024, the Ministry of Indian Railways said in a March 2023 Press release.

Right now the major train station closest to Srinagar is named Jammu Tawi in Jammu (300 km approx. from Srinagar) and it is located about 5km from the center of Jammu city and at the general bus stand. It is the most convenient place from where to catch transport to Kashmir mainly Innova & Tempo Traveller. Jammu Tawi Railway Station is well-connected to all major train stations and is the final destination for many. To catch trains, if not Jammu Tawi then try to get on a train bound for Udhampur which is the next and final station. Here are a few of the major stations and trains.

New Delhi to Jammu Tawi- Rajdhani Express (12425/12426) Chennai to Jammu Tawi Andaman Express (16031/16032) Kolkata to Jammu Tawi- Jammu Tawi Express (13151) Mumbai Central to Jammu Tawi- Sawraj Express (12471/12472) Ahmedabad to Jammu Tawi-Jammu Tawi Express (19223)

ROAD The arterial NH1A runs from Jalandhar (Punjab) to Uri. Passing through Jammu, Banihal (Jawahar Lal Nehru Tunnel) and Srinagar. The NH 1B connects Batote in Jammu region to Khanabal in Kashmir passing through Doda, Kishtwar, and the Symthan Pass.

State Bus Delhi to Srinagar: There is a comfortable state-run bus that runs every day from Tis Hazari in Delhi to the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) in Srinagar. The advantage of this bus is that it is safe, you can either opt for a reclining seat or sleeper cabin and it is not necessary to change transport at Jammu. It leaves around midday from Tis Hazari and around 8:30 am at the TRC for the return trip to Delhi. Be aware that the Jammu to Srinagar highway is narrow and crowded, being the major lifeline for supplies and troops to the Kashmir Valley and traffic jams are frequent. 24 hours can turn into 30 hours fairly quickly (or slowly!). INR 1481 for a push-back seat /INR 1571 for a sleeper berth. State Bus Jammu to Srinagar: You can catch an SRTC (State Road Transport Corporation) Bus from the General Bus Stand. The state-run bus takes about 11 hours to reach Srinagar and costs INR 800 approx. for the 'deluxe' 19-seater or INR 600 approx for the 'high-tech' 36-seater. Private Bus Delhi to Jammu: You can take an overnight private sleeper bus from Kashmiri Gate in Delhi to Jammu for about INR 1200. These buses are fairly good because you journey overnight, leaving around 6 pm and waking up in Jammu at about 8 am. From here you can take a jeep or state-run bus to Srinagar.

Innova | Tempo There are frequently running jeeps located at the gates of the Jammu train station. An Innova will cost you anything between INR 1000-1200, depending on the demand, time of year, and which seat you hire in the jeep. This drive takes about 9 to 10 hours. You can also take a shared Innova or Tempo Traveller from BC Road outside the General Bus Stand or from Jewel Chowk, which can be reached by walking through the General Bus Stand and taking a right. The Innova & Tempos run all day from early morning and cost INR 1000-1200. Note: If you want to leave the train station and head into Jammu to the general bus stand or main bazaar it will cost around INR 200 for a rickshaw or take the local bus for INR 30