The Ministry of Railways has announced the official timetable for the newly launched Vande Bharat Express train service between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar, marking a pivotal moment in the region’s rail connectivity.
Operating with only four key stops—Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Banihal, and Srinagar—this semi-high-speed service promises to revolutionise travel dynamics across Jammu and Kashmir. The Vande Bharat Express trains, running six days a week with a day reserved for maintenance, are set to operate under train numbers 26401/02 and 26403/04. The scheduled timings reveal a carefully crafted service designed to optimise passenger convenience and operational efficiency. From Srinagar, train 26402 departs at 14:00 hrs and reaches Jammu Tawi by 18:50 hrs, except on Tuesdays, while train 26404 leaves at 08:00 hrs, arriving at Jammu Tawi at 12:40 hrs, except on Wednesdays. On the return leg, train 26401 departs Jammu Tawi at 06:20 hrs to reach Srinagar by 11:10 hrs, and train 26403 leaves at 13:20 hrs, arriving at Srinagar at 18:00 hrs—both trains observing similar weekly off days.
This new rail corridor is poised to significantly boost tourism, commerce, and everyday commuting, cutting travel times and enhancing comfort for the people of the region. Beyond convenience, the introduction of this service signals the culmination of years of strategic investment and engineering prowess in Jammu and Kashmir’s rail infrastructure. Central to this rail revolution is the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), an ambitious ₹43,780 crore project that winds through 272 kilometres of challenging Himalayan terrain. The route incorporates 36 tunnels spanning 119 kilometres and 943 bridges, knitting together diverse valleys and mountainous landscapes. Among these engineering feats, the commissioning of a 48-km rail line between Banihal, Khari, Sumber, and Sangaldan in February 2024 marked a critical milestone, along with the electrification of the Baramulla–Srinagar–Banihal–Sangaldan section. This electrification introduces ballastless track technology, delivering smoother rides and reduced maintenance, aligned with sustainable and eco-friendly transport goals.
As of January 2025, safety inspections on the 111-km Banihal–Katra section, featuring extensive tunnels and bridges, have advanced the project towards full train connectivity from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley. Simultaneously, the ongoing redevelopment of Jammu station, equipped with eight platforms and modern amenities, signals a commitment to world-class passenger experiences. The inauguration of the Jammu Railway Division under Northern Railway in January 2025 has further strengthened regional rail governance, creating focused administrative oversight to serve Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Punjab. The division operates 11 crucial goods terminals, enhancing the flow of essential commodities like food grains, cement, coal, and perishable goods, ensuring economic vitality across the region.
Scheduled for June 6, the official flagging off of the Vande Bharat trains will be accompanied by the inauguration of two remarkable engineering landmarks: the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge at Anji. These infrastructural marvels not only stand as symbols of engineering excellence but also represent the sustainable and inclusive development ethos shaping modern Jammu and Kashmir. The Vande Bharat service and its supporting infrastructure demonstrate a strategic balance between advancing technology, regional connectivity, and environmental sustainability. The electrified, high-speed trains provide a greener alternative to road transport, helping reduce the carbon footprint of travel in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region.
As Jammu and Kashmir transition into this new era of rail connectivity, the benefits ripple through society—enhanced economic prospects, improved accessibility to education and healthcare, and greater integration with the national mainstream. This railway milestone reflects a vision of a connected, equitable, and sustainable future for the region.
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