Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat flagged off by Railway Minister Vaishnaw

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh, and the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, today flagged off the direct ‘Vande Bharat Express’ service from Jammu Tawi Railway Station to Srinagar (Kashmir Valley).

Also present on this historic occasion were Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Ali Khatana, Satpal Sharma, MLA Dr. Narendra Singh, Vikram Randhawa, and Yudhvir Sethi. Senior railway officials, including Northern Railway General Manager Rajesh Kumar Pandey and Divisional Railway Manager Vivek Kumar, welcomed the dignitaries. During the ceremony, cultural programs presented by schoolgirls added to the festive spirit of the occasion.

In his address, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw termed this event as “making new history,” stating that this rail link would establish an unbreakable and direct connection between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley. He further noted that, in view of the overwhelming demand from passengers, a modern Vande Bharat train comprising 20 coaches—rather than the standard 8—has been introduced on this route”.

Speaking of technical features and benefits, this train is equipped—for the first time—with ‘winterization’ technology, featuring heated windshields and a specialized heating system to ensure uninterrupted operations even in sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall. This 267-kilometer distance will now be covered in just 4 to 5 hours, resulting in significant time savings and providing a new impetus to local trade, tourism, and the economy.

Following the inauguration, the Railway Minister conducted a thorough inspection of the world-renowned Chenab Bridge and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Station, and reviewed the progress of ongoing projects.

Operational Details and Timetable:

Regular Vande Bharat services will commence on May 2, 2026. This service will be operated through two pairs of trains:

Train No. 26401/26402: (6 days a week, except Tuesdays)

Departure from Jammu: 06:20 AM | Arrival in Srinagar: 11:10 AM

Departure from Srinagar: 02:00 PM | Arrival in Jammu: 06:50 PM

Train No. 26403/26404: (6 days a week, except Wednesdays)

Departure from Srinagar: 08:00 AM | Arrival in Jammu: 12:40 PM

Departure from Jammu: 01:20 PM

This direct service will not only serve as a major attraction for tourists but will also prove to be a fast and affordable lifeline for traders, students, and patients.