Srinagar, Apr 29: Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off the extended 20-coach Vande Bharat Express between Jammu Railway Station to Srinagar on April 30 tomorrow (Thursday), while regular services will commence from May 2.
The train, which earlier operated between Srinagar and Katra, has now been extended up to Jammu, ensuring seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and one of the busiest railheads in North India.
The service will cover a distance of around 266–267 kilometres and is expected to reduce travel time between the twin capitals of Jammu and Kashmir while providing an all-weather and reliable transport link.
The Vande Bharat rake has been augmented from 8 to 20 coaches in view of sustained high demand since its launch in June 2025, effectively more than doubling passenger capacity and easing pressure on reservations, especially during peak tourist and pilgrimage seasons.
As per the Northern Railway schedule, Train Nos. 26401/26402 Vande Bharat Express will run between Jammu Tawi (JAT) and Srinagar (SINA), halting at key stations including Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi, and Banihal. The train will complete the journey in approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes, maintaining an average speed of 55.17 kmph.
The train from Jammu will depart at 6:20 AM and reach Srinagar at 11:10 AM. On the return leg, it will leave Srinagar at 2:00 PM and arrive in Jammu at 6:50 PM, enabling same-day connectivity between the two divisions.
The existing Vande Bharat service operating between Srinagar to Katra (Train Nos. 26403/26404) has also been extended up to Jammu. These services will operate six days a week (except Wednesday), further strengthening the rail network across the Union Territory.
With the extension, passengers arriving at Jammu from major cities will be able to travel directly to Katra and Srinagar without any interchange, while passengers from the Valley will have seamless access to the national rail network in a single journey.
The train is equipped with modern amenities, including the Kavach safety system, a GPS-based passenger information system, and improved seating, enhancing passenger comfort and safety.
The Vande Bharat train has been designed to operate in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, with features such as heated windshields, advanced heating systems, and all-weather components, ensuring a reliable and weather-resilient link between the Valley and the rest of the country, particularly during periods when road connectivity is disrupted.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Shri Uchit Singhal said the indigenously built train will offer a world-class travel experience with modern safety and passenger-friendly features, reducing travel time and boosting tourism and the local economy.
Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh will flag off the special train.
Ahead of the launch, a trial run of the extended service was conducted between Jammu to Katra.
During the visit, Union Minister will inspect key infrastructure on the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), including the Anji Khad Bridge—India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge rising 331 metres above the Anji river valley and supported by 96 high-tensile cables—and the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge at 359 metres above the riverbed.
In 1981, the Jammu–Udhampur rail project was taken up, and the foundation stone was laid by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on April 14, 1983.
After missing several deadlines, on April 13, 2005, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flagged off the train service to Udhampur. The Kashmir Valley began witnessing train operations from October 11, 2009, in phases. On July 4, 2014, direct train service to Katra was introduced, while the Valley saw its first electric train service in February 2024. A dedicated Jammu Railway Division was established in January 2025, and key stations including Jammu Tawi, Katra, Udhampur, and Budgam are being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi connected the Kashmir Valley with Katra by inaugurating the Vande Bharat train service from Katra railway station. (KNO)
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