30,000 passengers travelled since launch; trains fully booked till June 21 amid soaring demand
Wajahat Shabir
Srinagar: The Indian Railways is set to double the number of coaches on the newly launched Vande Bharat Express running between Katra and Srinagar, amid overwhelming passenger response and soaring demand.
Since its inaugural run on June 7, more than 30,000 people have travelled on the route, with all seats booked until June 21.
Railway authorities are actively considering a proposal to increase the number of coaches from 8 to 16.
The train — flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6 as part of the completion of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project — currently operates as train numbers 20401 and 20402 on a daily basis.
A senior railway official confirmed that both trains are witnessing long waitlists. “Train no. 20401 from Katra to Srinagar and 20402 in the reverse direction are fully booked till June 21. This has prompted serious discussions to increase the coach count,” the official said.
Currently, each train comprises eight coaches — one Executive Class and seven Chair Cars. Officials said the expansion will cater to the growing number of pilgrims and tourists, especially with the upcoming Amarnath Yatra season.
Jugal Kishor Sharma, Station Superintendent at Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station, said the rush for the Vande Bharat Express is “extraordinary,” with advance bookings filling up quickly. “More than 30,500 passengers have travelled since June 7, and most of them are tourists,” he said.
Passengers have expressed high satisfaction with the train’s performance, praising its speed, comfort, and scenic views. “It feels like flying on the ground,” said one traveller. “The ride is smooth, the views are breathtaking, and the facilities are top class.”
The new service has significantly reduced travel time between Jammu and Srinagar—from 8–9 hours by road to just 3–4 hours by train. The route passes through engineering marvels, including the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji Khad.
Railway officials noted that the popularity of the train is also boosting local tourism and livelihoods. “Even locals are benefiting from it. It has had a positive impact on tourism, especially after the recent dip following the Pahalgam terror attack,” one official noted.
With two Vande Bharat trains now connecting the Jammu region to the Kashmir Valley, direct and efficient rail connectivity has become a transformative reality. Designed to withstand the cold weather conditions of Kashmir, the trains are equipped with modern amenities such as automatic doors, onboard security personnel, and advanced safety systems to prevent unauthorized access.
The 272-km USBRL project, completed at a cost of ₹43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges. It ensures all-weather, year-round rail connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir and marks a new era of development, tourism, and mobility for the region.
