SRINAGAR: In a significant development for rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, Northern Railway has announced the inaugural run of the extended Vande Bharat Express between Jammu Tawi Railway Station and Srinagar on April 30, 2026.
According to an official communication, the extension of train numbers 26401 and 26402 operating between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station and Srinagar will now run up to Jammu Tawi. The inaugural service will operate as special train number 02601 from Jammu Tawi on April 30.
The train will depart Jammu Tawi at 10:30 am and reach Srinagar at 3:05 pm, covering a distance of 266.66 kilometres. En route, it will halt at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra from 11:54 am to 11:59 am for boarding and de-boarding of passengers, and at Bijbihara from 2:25 pm to 2:35 pm as an operational halt for crossing train number 26402.
The service will run with a 20-coach Vande Bharat rake and has been categorized as a Vande Bharat Inaugural Special. Officials stated that the regular schedule of the train will be notified separately.
