SRINAGAR: The Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express has received strong passenger response, with 44,727 travellers recorded within the first ten days of its regular operations, according to the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
The train services, which began regular runs on May 2, saw over 28,700 passengers in the first week alone, indicating rising demand for the high-speed rail link between Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said the services have continued to attract high occupancy, particularly during weekends. On May 10, passenger numbers crossed 5,600 with occupancy levels exceeding 98 per cent, reflecting capacity constraints on the corridor.
At present, two pairs of Vande Bharat trains are operating on the route. Train numbers 26401 and 26402 run six days a week except Tuesdays, while trains 26403 and 26404 operate daily except Wednesdays. The services connect Jammu and Srinagar, catering to tourists, pilgrims, traders, students, and local commuters.
The upgraded 20-coach Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express was flagged off by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on April 30, 2026, following the inauguration of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Link by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2025.
Railway officials said the service has significantly reduced travel time between the two cities to under five hours. The route passes through key engineering landmarks, including the Chenab and Anji bridges, as well as multiple tunnels across the Himalayan terrain.
According to PIB, the train has emerged as a reliable all-weather transport option, particularly during winter months when the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway is frequently disrupted by snowfall and landslides. The trains are designed to operate in extreme temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius.
Officials also highlighted that the service offers a comparatively economical travel option, with Chair Car fares, including meals, remaining lower than air travel and many road transport alternatives.
With the onset of the summer tourist season in Kashmir, railway authorities expect further growth in passenger numbers as tourism to destinations such as Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam increases.
