The Railway Board has approved a significant route change for the Amritsar-Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express. Previously running via Jalandhar, the train will now take a different path through the border districts of Punjab to better serve passengers. This change was proposed by Northern Railway and will be implemented starting from the advance reservation period. The train was originally flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2025.
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New Route, Stoppages, and Operational Schedule
The train will now travel via Batala and Gurdaspur instead of Jalandhar Cantt or Jalandhar City. It will operate six days a week, excluding Saturday, which is a shift from its previous schedule. Passengers can now board or deboard at several stations as per the revised plan. The journey will take exactly 5 hours to cover the distance between Amritsar and Katra.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New Route | Via Batala and Gurdaspur |
| Stoppages | Batala, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Jammu Tawi |
| Train Numbers | 26405 (Amritsar to Katra) / 26406 (Katra to Amritsar) |
| Travel Time | 5 Hours |
| Operating Days | All days except Saturday |
| Coach Composition | 8 Coaches (AC & Executive Chair Car) |
Updated Timings for Amritsar-Katra Vande Bharat
According to the official notification issued on March 23, 2026, the revised schedule is designed to facilitate morning travel from Katra and evening return from Amritsar. This adjustment helps pilgrims visiting the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi to plan their trips more efficiently. The train offers a faster and more comfortable alternative for commuters on this route.
- Train 26406 (Katra to Amritsar): Departs SVDK at 06:40 and reaches Amritsar at 11:40.
- Train 26405 (Amritsar to Katra): Departs Amritsar at 16:40 and reaches SVDK at 21:45.