Indian Railways is launching a third Vande Bharat Express service between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar to cater to the massive surge in passenger traffic across the valley. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw officially approved this much-anticipated route in a letter dated August 18, 2026, following immense success and near-full occupancy rates of the existing semi-high-speed train sets.
Key updates regarding the new Vande Bharat service and railway upgrades:
– The new Vande Bharat Express will operate with train numbers 26407 and 26408.
– A dedicated stop has been officially approved at Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur station.
– Coach capacity on older routes was previously expanded from 16 to 20 coaches to handle heavy crowds.
– Maximum permissible speed has been increased to 100 kmph between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal.
Boosting Capacity and Route Popularity
The decision to introduce train numbers 26407 and 26408 comes directly in response to continuous heavy passenger demand. The first two operational services, identified as 26401/26402 and 26404/26403, have consistently run at near-full capacity ever since their launch. To accommodate more travellers, Indian Railways previously increased the coach capacity on existing Vande Bharat trains from 16 to 20 coaches. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed that the inclusion of a stop at Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur successfully addresses long-standing public requests from local commuters and tourists alike.
Major Infrastructure and Speed Enhancements
Simultaneously, the Ministry of Railways has authorized an increase in the maximum permissible speed for trains to 100 kmph on the crucial 111-km broad-gauge section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal under the Northern Railways Jammu Division. This vital adjustment replaces the previous speed limits of 85 kmph on the Katra-Sangaldan section and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal stretch. Highlighting these engineering feats, a Vande Bharat train recently completed a historic transit across the magnificent Chenab Rail Bridge—recognized globally as the world’s highest railway bridge—operating smoothly at nearly 100 kmph.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager for Jammu, Uchit Singhal, noted that these upgraded speeds and the expansion of the Vande Bharat fleet will significantly slash travel times for everyday commuters. Railway officials anticipate that these modern infrastructure enhancements will vastly improve all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir, while powerfully stimulating growth in local tourism, regional trade, and overall economic activity.