Vande Bharat Stone Pelting; New Jodhpur-Katra Train Link
The Delhi-Jodhpur Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 26482) was the victim of a Vande Bharat stone pelting attack on Thursday afternoon, October 15, 2026, while traveling between Gurgaon and Rewari. The incident caused significant alarm among passengers as unknown individuals targeted the premium train.
Damage to Vande Bharat Coaches
The attack resulted in shattered windowpanes in two coaches, identified as C-13 and C-17, with additional damage reported in coach C-18. While the damage to the train was notable, fortunately, no passengers sustained any injuries during the incident.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the railway administration have launched a formal investigation. Authorities are currently analyzing CCTV footage to identify the individuals responsible for the stone-pelting.
New Jodhpur to Katra Direct Service
In other developments, the North Western Railway has announced the launch of a new direct train service from Jodhpur to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, starting Sunday, October 18, 2026. This service is an extension of the Sabarmati BG–Jammu Tawi Express (Train No. 19223/19224).
Service Schedule and New Stops
The daily service is designed to provide seamless connectivity for pilgrims from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab. The schedule is as follows:
- Jodhpur to Katra: Departs Jodhpur at 7:00 PM and arrives in Katra at 6:55 PM the following day.
- Katra to Jodhpur (Train No. 19224): Departs Katra at 4:50 AM daily (commencing October 20, 2026) and reaches Jodhpur at 4:40 AM.
The route will include new stops at Samba, Bari Brahman, and Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan stations.
Important Route Diversions
Travelers should also be aware of the following route changes due to ongoing maintenance work:
- Jodhpur-Bhopal Express (14813): On October 18 and 19, 2026, this train will run via a diverted route through Ruthiyai–Maksi–Sant Hirdaram Nagar–Bhopal to accommodate yard remodeling at Bina and Agasod stations.
- Bhopal-Jodhpur Express (14814): This train has been operating via Sogariya, skipping Kota station, a measure in effect from September 29 through October 18, 2026.