Jammu: Indian Railways has approved a third Vande Bharat Express between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar via Udhampur, adding another high-speed service to the Jammu-Kashmir Valley route amid strong passenger demand. The development comes alongside a recent milestone in which a Vande Bharat train operated at nearly 100 kmph over the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday shared a letter from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirming approval for the new service, which will operate as Train No. 26407/26408 Jammu Tawi-Srinagar-Jammu Tawi Vande Bharat Express via Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur.
At present, two Vande Bharat trains operate four services between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar. The services were initially introduced on June 6, 2025, between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar and were extended to Jammu Tawi from April 30, 2026.
The existing trains, numbered 26401/26402 and 26404/26403, have reportedly been operating with full occupancy. In view of the strong demand, the Railways increased the number of coaches in each train from 16 to 20.
The existing Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat covers the 269-km distance in around 4 hours and 45 minutes, with stoppages at Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi and Banihal.
The announcement of the third service comes shortly after another significant development on the Kashmir rail link.
A Vande Bharat train recently clocked nearly 100 kmph while crossing the Chenab Rail Bridge in Reasi, marking the first such operation on the world’s highest railway bridge.
The milestone followed the Railway Ministry’s approval for trains to operate at speeds of up to 100 kmph on the 111-km new Broad Gauge section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal. Earlier, the permissible speed was 85 kmph on the Katra-Sangaldan section and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal stretch.
The Chenab Rail Bridge, a key component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, stands 359 metres above the Chenab River bed and is 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. The 1,315-metre-long bridge is designed to withstand strong winds and earthquakes.
The higher operating speed is expected to reduce travel time on the Katra-Banihal section and further strengthen connectivity between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley, while the third Vande Bharat is expected to add passenger capacity and provide another travel option.
Together, the two developments mark another major step in the expansion of railway connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, with faster services and increased capacity expected to benefit passengers, tourism and economic activity in the region.
