Indian Railways is set to launch a third Vande Bharat Express on the scenic Jammu-Srinagar route to cater to the massive surge in passenger demand and boost regional connectivity. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed this major development following communication from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Key highlights of the new Vande Bharat service include:
– Approval of the third Vande Bharat train on the Jammu-Srinagar route.
– Designated as train numbers 26407 and 26408.
– Expected launch in September 2026 to coincide with Navratri.
– Strategic stops at Udhampur, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi, and Banihal.
– Maximum permissible speed increased to 100 kilometers per hour on the Katra-Banihal section.
High Demand Drives Expansion
The existing two Vande Bharat services, operating under train numbers 26401/26402 and 26404/26403, have been running at full capacity ever since they were introduced. To manage this heavy passenger rush, railway authorities have already increased the coach count from 16 to 20. These existing trains successfully cover the 269-kilometer distance between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar in approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes.
Proposed Schedule and Route Details
The upcoming service, designated as train number 26407/26408, will feature a strategic stop at Udhampur, which is officially recognized as the Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan station. While current trains already halt at Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi, and Banihal, the new route is proposed to run from Jammu Tawi to Udhampur and Vaishno Devi Katra before proceeding directly to Srinagar.
According to the proposed timetable, the train will depart from Jammu Tawi at 10:30 AM, arrive in Udhampur at 11:30 AM, depart at 12:10 PM, and finally reach Srinagar at 3:10 PM. For the return journey, the train is slated to depart from Srinagar at 4:00 PM, reaching Katra at 6:55 PM, Udhampur at 7:30 PM, and concluding its journey back in Jammu Tawi at approximately 8:40 PM.
Timing and Infrastructure Upgrades
This new service is expected to officially roll out in September 2026, perfectly timed to coincide with the auspicious Navratri festival to comfortably accommodate the heavy surge of pilgrims traveling to Vaishno Devi. In a related infrastructural improvement, the Northern Railway’s Jammu division has officially authorized an increase in the maximum permissible speed on the Katra-Banihal section to 100 kilometers per hour, ensuring significantly better transit efficiency for all travellers.