Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat launched: Check schedule, route and onboard features
20-coach train with modern amenities, winter tech and six-day service to boost connectivity, tourism and all-weather travel in Jammu and Kashmir
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday flagged off the first direct 20-coach Vande Bharat train service from Jammu Tawi to Srinagar, connecting the Kashmir Valley with the national rail network.
Union MoS PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and BJP Rajya Sabha MPs Satpal Sharma and Ghulam Ali Khatana were present at the launch.
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The new service offers fast, modern connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir, enabling seamless travel between Srinagar and Jammu without interruptions, and will cover the distance in just 4 hours and 50 minutes, significantly boosting tourism and connectivity in the region.
New service timings, routes out
It provides a reliable, affordable, all-weather transport option, reducing reliance on the often-disrupted Srinagar-Jammu national highway while boosting tourism and trade.
The service will operate with two pairs of trains (26401/26402 and 26403/26404). Train No. 26401/26402 will run six days a week, except Tuesdays, departing Jammu Tawi at 06:20 am and reaching Srinagar at 11:10 am.
On the return leg, it will leave Srinagar at 2:00 pm (14:00 hrs) and arrive in Jammu Tawi at 6:50 pm (18:50 hrs).
The second service—Train No. 26403/26404—will also run six days a week, except Wednesdays. It will depart Srinagar at 8:00 am and reach Jammu at 12:40 pm, with the return journey starting from Jammu at 1:20 pm (13:20 hrs).
The train will halt at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) in Reasi and Banihal en route.
Advanced amenities for passengers
According to Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal, the Vande Bharat Express is equipped to offer a world-class travel experience.
“It features the ‘Kavach’ safety system, GPS-based passenger information, and comfortable rotating seats. The service will cut travel time and significantly boost the local economy and tourism,” he said.
Extending the service to Srinagar will benefit daily commuters and make travel easier and more comfortable for tourists visiting Kashmir and pilgrims heading to Vaishno Devi.
Railway officials said tickets can be booked at railway counters or via the IRCTC website.
Passengers arriving in Jammu by air can now board the Vande Bharat at Jammu Tawi and travel through scenic landscapes, including the Shivalik foothills, the Chenab and Anji bridges, and tunnels through the Himalayas, reaching Srinagar without highway delays or weather-related disruptions.
Modern features enhance travel
Officials said the specially designed Vande Bharat train incorporates ‘winterisation’ technology, allowing smooth operations even in sub-zero temperatures.
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“For the first time in Indian Railways, self-regulating heating cables have been used to prevent water pipelines from freezing. These automatically adjust heat output based on external temperatures,” they said.
An embedded heating element has been installed in the driver’s front windshield to prevent fogging during snow and fog, ensuring clear visibility.
“To guard against damage from track ballast, pneumatic valves near water tanks have been protected with stainless steel covers,” an official said, adding that CCTV cameras and an energy-efficient regenerative braking system have also been installed.