Indian Railways introduces four new train services to improve connectivity to Vaishno Devi and Srinagar
Indian Railways has marked a significant milestone in connectivity for pilgrims and tourists traveling to Jammu and Kashmir. Following an announcement by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha on July 22, 2026, the national transporter has confirmed the introduction of four new pairs of trains within the Jammu Division. These developments come as part of a broader strategy to strengthen rail infrastructure in the region, which has seen dedicated administrative focus since the establishment of the Jammu Division in January 2025.
Key highlights of the new rail connectivity include:
• Two pairs of Vande Bharat Express services connecting Jammu Tawi and Srinagar.
• Resumption of the Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express via a revised route.
• Introduction of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Budgam Express.
• Capacity upgrades including the transition to 20-car rakes for Jammu Tawi–Srinagar services.
• Addition of an extra Third AC coach to the Jammu–New Delhi Rajdhani Express starting July 25, 2026.
Enhanced Vande Bharat and Regional Connectivity
The Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express (26405/26406) officially resumed operations on June 16, 2026, after a seven-month hiatus. The train now follows a revised route through Batala, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot, bypassing Jalandhar Cantt, and operates with a new schedule that shifts its non-operational day to Saturday.
Furthermore, the Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express (26401/26402 and 26403/26404) has become a cornerstone of regional travel. These trains cover the 269 km stretch in approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes. Operating six days a week, these services have been upgraded from an 8-car to a 20-car rake to accommodate higher passenger demand. Additionally, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Budgam Express (14687/14688) has been serving passengers since March 12, 2026.
Future Outlook and Capacity Management
Minister Vaishnaw emphasized that the expansion of rail services remains an ongoing endeavor, heavily dependent on operational feasibility, line capacity, and rolling stock availability. To manage the anticipated surge in passenger traffic, Northern Railway is taking proactive steps, such as augmenting the Jammu–New Delhi Rajdhani Express (12426) with an additional Third AC coach effective July 25, 2026.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has welcomed these developments, highlighting the extension of the Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat service as a historic achievement for the region’s transport infrastructure.