Umaisar Gull Ganaie
Srinagar, Jun 4: The Ministry of Railways has released the timetable for the newly introduced Vande Bharat Express train services between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar, marking a major milestone in enhancing rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.
The semi-high-speed trains will operate with limited halts, stopping only at four key stations along the route—Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Banihal, and Srinagar.
According to the Ministry’s notification, two pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains have been approved for the route under train numbers 26401/02 and 26403/04.
These trains will run six days a week, with each taking one day off for maintenance and operational efficiency.
From Srinagar, train number 26402 will depart at 14:00 hrs and reach Jammu Tawi at 18:50 hrs, except on Tuesdays. Another train, 26404, will depart Srinagar at 08:00 hrs and arrive at Jammu Tawi by 12:40 hrs, operating every day except Wednesday.
On the return journey, train number 26401 will leave Jammu Tawi at 06:20 hrs and reach Srinagar by 11:10 hrs, except on Tuesdays. Meanwhile, train number 26403 will depart Jammu Tawi at 13:20 hrs and reach Srinagar at 18:00 hrs, not operating on Wednesdays.
The service is expected to be a game changer for tourism, business, and daily commuting in the region.
The Vande Bharat Express is set to glide swiftly between Katra and Srinagar, cutting down travel time and setting a new benchmark in comfort for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This development is more than just a new train service—it stands as a symbol of how far the region’s railway network has come over the last 11 years.
On June 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir to mark this progress. He will flag off the new Vande Bharat trains and inaugurate two engineering marvels: the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge at Anji.
The rail map of Jammu and Kashmir has been redrawn with precision and purpose. Projects once seen as distant dreams have become functional links, connecting lives, livelihoods, and landscapes. With full electrification, a dedicated railway division, and station modernisation underway, the region is now firmly on track for faster, cleaner, and more inclusive growth.
The Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is one of the most ambitious railway projects undertaken in independent India. Stretching 272 kilometres through the rugged Himalayas, the project has been built at a cost of Rs. 43,780 crore. It includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 kilometres and 943 bridges that knit together valleys, ridges, and mountain passes.
In February 2024, a new 48-km rail line between Banihal, Khari, Sumber, and Sangaldan was commissioned, along with the newly electrified 185.66-km Baramulla–Srinagar–Banihal–Sangaldan section. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the valley’s first electric train and also launched train services between Sangaldan and Baramulla stations. The Banihal–Sangaldan section features ballastless track (BLT), ensuring a smoother and more comfortable ride for passengers.
In January 2025, final safety inspections began on the 111-km Banihal–Katra section of the Jammu division, paving the way for full train connectivity between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley. This section features 97 km of tunnels and four major bridges spanning 7 km. Meanwhile, Jammu station is being redeveloped with eight platforms and modern facilities to offer a world-class travel experience.
Also in January 2025, Indian Railways inaugurated the new Jammu Railway Division under Northern Railway, with its headquarters in Jammu city.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 6, this division was carved out of the Ferozepur Division to better serve the rail transport needs of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Punjab.
The division includes 11 key goods terminals, facilitating the movement of food grains, cement, coal, fuel, and perishable produce across the region. (KNO)
