The 26401/26402 Jammu Tawi – Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is India's 68th Vande Bharat Express train, which connects Winter capital city of Jammu and the Vaishno Devi Temple in the Temple City of Katra with the Summer capital city of Srinagar in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India.
| Jammu Tawi – Srinagar Vande Bharat Express | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Vande Bharat Express at Banihal railway station | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service type | Vande Bharat Express | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Jammu and Kashmir | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First service | June 06 2025 (Inaugural) June 07 2025 (Commercial) April 30 2026 (Extension) [1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current operator | Northern Railways (NR) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Route | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini | Jammu Tawi (JAT) Srinagar (SINA) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stops | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance travelled | 269 km (167 mi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average journey time | 04 hrs 50 min | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service frequency | Six days a week [a] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Train number | 26401 / 26402 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line used | Jammu–Baramulla line | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-board services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classes | AC Chair Car, AC Executive Chair Car | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seating arrangements |
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| Sleeping arrangements | No | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catering facilities | On board Catering | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Observation facilities | Large windows in all coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Entertainment facilities |
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| Baggage facilities | Overhead racks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other facilities | Kavach, Advanced heating systems | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rolling stock | Specially-Designed Mini Vande Bharat 2.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | Indian gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electrification | 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead line | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | 58 km/h (36 mph) (Avg.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average length | 480 metres (1,570 ft) (20 coaches) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track owner | Indian Railways | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rake maintenance | (TBC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This express train was inaugurated on June 6, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Katra between SMVD Katra to Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
On 30 April 2026, The service has been extended to Jammu Tawi as its new originating station.[10]
Overview
editThis specially designed train is currently operated by Indian Railways, connecting Jammu Tawi, MCTM Udhampur, SMVD Katra, Reasi, Banihal and Srinagar. It currently operates on the newly completed Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, a 272-kilometer project designed to integrate the Kashmir Valley with India's railway network.
Interesting facts
edit- This special express train traverses significant infrastructural landmarks, including the Chenab Rail Bridge—the world's highest railway bridge and the Banihal Tunnel, enhancing connectivity in the region.
- The introduction of this express train on this route will boost tourism, facilitate easier pilgrimages to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, and promote economic development in the Kashmir Valley by improving access and reducing travel time.
Rakes
editIt is the sixty-third and the first specially designed 2nd Generation Vande Bharat 2.0 Express train which was designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur, Chennai under the Make in India Initiative.[11]
The train has been upgraded to a 20-coach configuration. This indicates a permanent expansion from previous coach counts to accommodate higher passenger demands.
- This is equipped with climate-specific adaptations to provide advanced heating systems in sub-zero temperatures.
- The driver's front look-out glass is embedded with heating elements for defrosting and to ensure clear visibility during harsh winters.[12]
Service
editThe 26401/26402 Jammu Tawi – Srinagar Vande Bharat Express currently operates 6 days a week, covering a distance of 269 km (167 mi) in a travel time of 04 hrs 50 min with average speed of 58 km/h. The Maximum Permissible Speed (MPS) will be confirmed after commercial run.
- ↑ Except Tuesdays
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Katra - Srinagar Vande Bharat Express begins operations from June 7: Key details". India Today. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat train between Katra and Srinagar". India Today. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "PM Modi Flags Off Two Vande Bharat Express Trains From Katra To Srinagar | Check Routes, Timings". News18. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ Tyagi, Vanshika. "Katra to Srinagar in 3 hours: PM Modi flags off new Kashmir Vande Bharat express, know ticket prices, stoppages, timings and more". DNA India. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ Thakur, Rajesh Kumar (6 June 2025). "PM Modi inaugurates Chenab arch railway bridge, flags off Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "PM Modi will inaugurate Vande Bharat train service from Katra to Srinagar on June 6". The Hindu. 3 June 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ↑ "PM Modi to flag off Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat service on June 6". Moneycontrol. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ↑ "PM Modi likely to launch Vande Bharat express to Srinagar on June 6". India Today. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ↑ Thakur, Rajesh Kumar (3 June 2025). "PM Modi likely to flag off Vande Bharat train in Katra; his first J&K visit post Pahalgam terror attack". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ↑ Ashiq, Peerzada (30 April 2026). "Railways Minister flags off first Jammu-Srinagar direct train service on 'historic day'". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
- ↑ "Train 18, India's Fastest, Named "Vande Bharat Express": Piyush Goyal". NDTV.com. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ↑ PTI (8 January 2025). "Railways unveils Vande Bharat, specially designed for winters in J&K, for Katra-Srinagar route". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 April 2025.