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Ashwini Vaishnaw Flags Off Extended Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off the extended Srinagar-Jammu Vande Bharat Express from Jammu Tawi on Thursday. The train, previously running from Srinagar to Katra, now connects directly to Jammu, covering 266 km in about 4 hours 50 minutes. Two pairs of services will operate six days a week from May 2, 2026, offering morning and afternoon options. The rake has been augmented to 20 coaches due to overwhelming passenger response since its launch by PM Modi in June 2025.

Key Points: Extended Vande Bharat: Jammu-Srinagar Route Launched

  • Extended to Jammu Tawi from Katra
  • Two daily pairs from May 2, 2026
  • Journey time 4 hrs 50 mins
  • Augmented to 20 coaches due to demand
2 min read

Ashwini Vaishnaw to flag off extended Srinagar-Jammu Vande Bharat on Thursday

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flags off extended Vande Bharat from Jammu Tawi to Srinagar. Two daily pairs from May 2, 2026, with 20 coaches.

"Together, the two pairs ensure that passengers have a morning and an afternoon Vande Bharat option from both ends of the corridor - Railways Ministry"

New Delhi, April 29

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is set to flag off the extended Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express service from Jammu Tawi Railway Station on Thursday.

The train, which previously operated from Srinagar up to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, will now run all the way to Jammu Tawi, bringing the country's most modern train directly to J&K's largest city and railway hub, according to a Railways Ministry statement.

While flag-off marks the inaugural run, the extended Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will enter regular service from May 2, 2026. Two pairs of services will operate across the corridor, covering a distance of around 266 km.

The first service (Train No. 26401) departs Jammu Tawi at 6:20 AM, halts at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi, and Banihal, arriving at Srinagar at 11:10 AM, a journey of four hours and fifty minutes. Its return (Train No. 26402) leaves Srinagar at 2:00 PM and reaches Jammu Tawi by 6:50 PM. This pair runs six days a week, except Tuesday.

The second service (Train No. 26404) departs Srinagar at 8:00 AM, halts at Banihal and Katra, and arrives at Jammu Tawi by 12:40 PM. Its return (Train No. 26403) departs Jammu Tawi at 1:20 PM and reaches Srinagar by 6:00 PM. This pair runs six days a week, except Wednesday, informed the ministry.

"Together, the two pairs ensure that passengers have a morning and an afternoon Vande Bharat option from both ends of the corridor on most days of the week, giving travellers meaningful flexibility in planning their journeys," it added.

Following the flag-off, the Union Minister will subsequently inspect two of the most remarkable engineering structures on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), the Anji Bridge and the Chenab Bridge.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on June 6, 2025, the train ran with 8 coaches.

Since then, the train has consistently been running at full capacity, with an overwhelming response from passengers.

The decision to augment the rake to 20 coaches is a direct response to that demand, more than doubling the train's seating capacity at a stroke, and significantly easing the pressure on reservations and waitlists, particularly during peak pilgrimage and tourist seasons.

With the extension to Jammu Tawi happening simultaneously, the 20-coach Vande Bharat arrives at its largest catchment city with the capacity to match it, a train finally built to the scale of the demand it has always inspired.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Increasing from 8 to 20 coaches shows the massive demand. But I hope they also focus on local connectivity - many smaller towns still rely on old slower trains. Still, this is progress. J&K deserves good infrastructure after decades of neglect. Well done! 🙏
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Michael C
As someone who visited Srinagar last year, I can say this will be huge for tourism. The road journey from Jammu was 8-9 hours with traffic. Now train is faster and more comfortable. The railway station in Srinagar itself is beautiful - modern but with Kashmiri architecture touches. Hope security remains good along the route.
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Naveen S
Good news but why stop at Reasi and Banihal but not Qazigund or Anantnag? People from south Kashmir also need connectivity. Also, the train doesn't run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays - that's odd for a modern service. Still, better than nothing. The Chenab Bridge is indeed world-class engineering, proud moment for India. 🇮🇳
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Sarah B
Took the Vande Bharat from Katra to Srinagar last month - it was full! 20 coaches makes total sense. The comfort level is way better than buses or old trains. Just wish the ticket prices were a bit more affordable for common people. Right now it's almost double of what other trains charge. Still, progress is progress!
R
Ravi K
Two pairs of services is smart planning. Morning and afternoon options from both ends gives flexibility. I just hope the train toilets are clean - that's always the weak point in

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