Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express Launched

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the first direct Vande Bharat Express train service from Jammu Tawi to Srinagar on April 30, 2026, extending the premium route previously operating between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar. The ceremony at Jammu Tawi Railway Station was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh, and other officials.

The service, upgraded from eight to 20 coaches to meet 100 percent occupancy demand, will commence regular operations on May 2 with two pairs of trains running six days a week. Train No. 26401 departs Jammu Tawi at 6:20 a.m., arriving in Srinagar at 11:10 a.m., with a return leaving Srinagar at 2:00 p.m. and reaching Jammu at 6:50 p.m.; it skips Tuesdays. Train No. 26403 departs Srinagar at 8:00 a.m., arriving in Jammu at 12:40 p.m., with a return from Jammu at 1:20 p.m.; it skips Wednesdays. The 266-kilometer journey, covering stops at Katra, Reasi, and Banihal, takes about 4 hours and 50 minutes at an average speed over 55 kmph, compared to eight hours by road on the often disrupted Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Railway officials highlighted the train's all-weather capabilities,...