Vaishnaw flags off Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat on Thursday
Synopsis
The Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat is no longer a partial corridor service — it now links J&K's largest railway hub to the Valley, with its rake more than doubled from 8 to 20 coaches to meet surging demand since its 2025 launch. Regular services begin 2 May 2026.
Key Takeaways
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off the extended Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on 1 May 2026 .
Regular services commence on 2 May 2026 , covering a distance of 266 km .
The train's rake has been augmented from 8 coaches to 20 coaches , more than doubling seating capacity.
Two pairs of services will run daily (except one day each week), offering morning and afternoon options from both ends.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had originally flagged off the Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat on 6 June 2025 with 8 coaches.
Vaishnaw will also inspect the Anji Bridge and Chenab Bridge on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) after the flag-off.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is set to flag off the extended Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express from Jammu Tawi Railway Station on Thursday, 1 May 2026. The train, which previously ran only between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, will now extend all the way to Jammu Tawi — the largest city and primary railway hub in Jammu & Kashmir — according to a Railways Ministry statement. Regular commercial services begin on 2 May 2026.
New Schedule and Service Details
Two pairs of Vande Bharat services will operate across the 266 km corridor. The first service (Train No. 26401) departs Jammu Tawi at 6:20 AM, halts at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi, and Banihal, and arrives at Srinagar at 11:10 AM — a journey of four hours and fifty minutes. Its return (Train No. 26402) departs 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.
The Railways Ministry noted that together, the two pairs ensure passengers have both a morning and an afternoon Vande Bharat option from either end of the corridor on most days, providing, in its words,
Point of View
However, will be whether the USBRL's remaining sections — and the engineering marvels on them like the Chenab Bridge — can sustain reliable, all-weather operations that make this connectivity durable rather than symbolic.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the extended Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express start regular service?
Regular commercial services on the extended Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express begin on 2 May 2026, following the inaugural flag-off by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on 1 May 2026.
What is the schedule of the new Vande Bharat services between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar?
Two pairs of services operate the corridor. Train No. 26401 departs Jammu Tawi at 6:20 AM and reaches Srinagar at 11:10 AM (except Tuesdays); Train No. 26404 departs Srinagar at 8:00 AM and reaches Jammu Tawi by 12:40 PM (except Wednesdays). Return services run in the afternoon from both ends.
Why was the Vande Bharat rake increased from 8 to 20 coaches?
The train has been running at full capacity since Prime Minister Modi flagged it off on 6 June 2025 with just 8 coaches. The Railways Ministry augmented the rake to 20 coaches to ease reservation pressure and accommodate surge demand during peak pilgrimage and tourist seasons.
What stops does the Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat make?
Depending on the service, the train halts at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi, and Banihal en route, covering the 266 km corridor in approximately four hours and fifty minutes.
What is the USBRL and why is Vaishnaw inspecting the Chenab and Anji bridges?
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is a landmark infrastructure project connecting Jammu to the Kashmir Valley by rail. The Chenab Bridge and Anji Bridge are among its most complex engineering structures, and Vaishnaw's inspection underscores the government's focus on the project's progress and safety.
