Indian Railways approves third Vande Bharat train for Jammu and Srinagar route
The Ministry of Railways has officially approved the introduction of a third Vande Bharat Express service to operate between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar to address consistent passenger demand and improve regional mobility. This major development comes alongside an operational speed limit upgrade to 100 kmph on the iconic Chenab Bridge. The formal approval was communicated by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a letter dated August 18, 2026, as shared by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. Passengers looking forward to better connectivity in the Kashmir Valley can now expect increased capacity on this vital rail corridor.
The new service will feature approved train numbers 26407 and 26408, joining the existing services running under train numbers 26401/26402 and 26404/26403. To accommodate local requests, the upcoming Vande Bharat train will include a designated stop at Udhampur. While the expected fare range is projected between Rs. 800 to Rs. 1600, the exact commencement date, official timetable, and frequency will be notified as the launch approaches.
Speed Enhancements on the Chenab Bridge
In a significant boost to rail infrastructure, the Railway Ministry has approved an increase in the maximum permissible speed to 100 kmph on the 111-km broad-gauge section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal, which features the engineering marvel of the Chenab Bridge. Previously, speed limits were restricted to 85 kmph between Katra and Sangaldan, and 75 kmph between Sangaldan and Banihal. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal noted that this enhancement aims to reduce travel time and boost tourism. Northern Railway has clarified that while official approval for the 100 kmph limit is active, no train had commercially operated at this speed across the bridge as of August 20, 2026.
Future Outlook and Capacity Management
The railway administration continues to optimize the Jammu-Srinagar route to handle surging traffic. Following the extension of existing Vande Bharat services to Jammu on April 30, 2026, coach compositions were previously increased from 16 to 20 to manage high occupancy rates. With the third train now approved, commuters and tourists can expect greater travel flexibility. Further announcements regarding the commercial launch of train numbers 26407 and 26408 will be released soon.