JAMMU, April 29: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off the extended Srinagar-Jammu Vande Bharat Express from Jammu Tawi Railway Station on Thursday, officials said.
An official told Kashmir Convener the train, which currently operates between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, will now run up to Jammu Tawi, the Union Territory’s largest city and a major railway hub connecting to the national rail network, he said.
Following the flag-off, the Minister will inspect two key engineering structures on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) – the Anji Bridge and the Chenab Bridge, officials added.
Officials said the decision to augment the train from 8 to 20 coaches was taken following consistent demand since Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Katra-Srinagar service on June 6, 2025.
“The train has been running at full capacity. The augmentation will more than double seating capacity and significantly ease waitlisting, particularly during peak pilgrimage and tourist seasons,” a senior railway official told Kashmir Convener.
The extended Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will enter regular service from May 2, 2026, with two pairs of trains operating six days a week, officials said. The distance between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar is approximately 266 km.
Train No. 26401/26402 will depart Jammu Tawi at 6:20 AM and reach Srinagar at 11:10 AM. The return service will leave Srinagar at 2:00 PM and arrive at Jammu Tawi at 6:50 PM. This pair will not operate on Tuesdays.
Train No. 26404/26403 will depart Srinagar at 8:00 AM and reach Jammu Tawi at 12:40 PM. The return service will leave Jammu Tawi at 1:20 PM and reach Srinagar at 6:00 PM. This pair will not operate on Wednesdays.
Officials said the two pairs will provide morning and afternoon options from both ends on most days of the week.
The extension eliminates the need for passengers to change trains at Katra, officials said.
“For millions of devotees travelling to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, this removes a mandatory interchange. Pilgrims combining the Vaishno Devi darshan with the Amarnath Yatra can now complete the circuit on a single train,” an official said.
For residents of Jammu and Kashmir, the direct link removes the inconvenience of breaking journeys at Katra, particularly during winter when the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is frequently blocked due to snow, officials added.
“The Vande Bharat is designed to operate in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius with heated windshields and all-weather components. It will provide a reliable link when road travel is not possible,” the official said.
Officials said tourists flying into Jammu can now board the train directly to Srinagar, while Kashmiri artisans and traders moving handicrafts and saffron to Jammu will benefit from faster transit.
The extension is the latest milestone in a decade-long effort to transform railway connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir, officials said.
The Udhampur-Katra section was commissioned in 2014. The Kashmir Valley saw its first electric train in February 2024. A dedicated Jammu Railway Division was created in January 2025
The USBRL project has been built at a total cost of ₹43,780 crore and includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges, officials added.
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