SRINAGAR: The four Vande Bharat trains operating in Jammu and Kashmir since June have recorded “exceptionally high occupancy” with railway ministry data showing more than 100 per cent bookings across routes, and tickets sold out for almost all of August.
According to figures shared by the ministry, the Shri Vaishno Devi Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express (26401) ran at full capacity in June (100 percent), peaked at 102 percent in July, and held steady at 98 percent in August. Its return service (26402) maintained 101 percent occupancy throughout the three months.
The second pair of trains also saw near-saturation demand. The Katra-originating service ran above capacity in June (101 percent) and July (100 percent), before marginally dipping to 97 percent in August. The Srinagar-originating service began at 94 percent occupancy in June but surged to 100 percent in July and remained high at 98 percent in August.
Railway officials explained that occupancy levels above 100 percent reflect demand exceeding capacity, factoring in waitlisted passengers. “The services are witnessing overwhelming response, with almost no seats left unbooked for August,” a ministry official told News18.
The Vande Bharat services mark Srinagar’s first direct connection with the Indian Railways mainline following the commissioning of the Ajni and Chenab bridges in June. Two pairs of trains, offering four daily services, currently operate between Shri Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) and Srinagar (SINA).
Train 26401 departs Katra at 8.10 am and reaches Srinagar at 11.08 am, completing the journey in two hours and 58 minutes, with a brief halt at Banihal. Chair car fares are Rs 715 and executive class tickets Rs 1,320.
The return service (26402) leaves Srinagar at 2 pm, reaching Katra at 4.58 pm. Chair car fares are Rs 880 and executive class Rs 1,515.
