Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express Services serve around 45,000 Pax in first 10 Days of its Run
Published: May 14, 2026
By TIOLCorplaws News Service
NEW DELHI, MAY 14, 2026: WHEN Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the historic 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link on 6th June 2025, it was a moment that transformed ambition into reality. On 30th April 2026, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the augmented, 20-coach Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express. Within just ten days of its regularisation date 2nd May, the 4 train services combined carried 44,727 passengers (up to 11th May) across both directions of travel, firmly establishing itself as the lifeline of Jammu and Kashmir. In the maiden week of its run itself, the train services hosted 28,762 passengers (up to 8th May).
The two pairs of Vande Bharat services operating on the corridor are Train No. 26401 (Jammu Tawi to Srinagar) and its return service Train No. 26402 (Srinagar to Jammu Tawi), which run six days a week except Tuesdays, and Train No. 26403 (Jammu Tawi to Srinagar) and its return Train No. 26404 (Srinagar to Jammu Tawi), which operate on all days except Wednesdays. Together, they ensure that the crucial Jammu–Kashmir corridor is served by 4 train services a day, at least five days a week. Each Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 train services also continuously serve the high-demand route, offering to-and-fro movement for locals, tourists, pilgrims, and traders alike.
A Week That Rewrote Expectations
Two pairs of Vande Bharat services now operate across the 266-km corridor, ensuring passengers at both ends have at least one, and on most days two, daily options. On days when both pairs ran, demand consistently pushed figures to near-capacity levels: 4,977 passengers on 3rd May, 4,955 on 8th May, 5,284 on 9th May, 5,657 on 10th May and 5,024 on 11th May. A train that earlier ran full with 8 coaches is now drawing near-capacity loads even with 20 coaches, underlining how significantly “high” travel demand on this corridor had outpaced the available supply.
On days when a single pair was operated, it touched 95.03 per cent on 5th May and 94.79 per cent on 6th May. Weekends have seen the sharpest surge in demand, with Saturday and Sunday alone accounting for nearly 11,000 passengers. On Sunday (10 May) itself, the occupancy was a whopping 98.21 per cent, a figure that points squarely to the tourism potential this corridor is already beginning to unlock.
From Pilgrims to Traders, a Train for Everyone
These numbers represent more than ridership statistics. Pilgrims, students, government officials, and traders between Jammu and Srinagar travel without a break in journey for the first time. Tourists who once found the Valley logistically challenging now ride through the engineering marvels of the Chenab and Anji bridges from the comfort of a Vande Bharat seat. Crucially, the train is engineered to operate in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, making it a dependable all-weather artery when snowfall and landslides render the National Highway impassable for days at a stretch.
A Journey That Is Easier on the Pocket Too
The Vande Bharat is also the most affordable option on the corridor. A Chair Car ticket, meals included, costs a fraction of what a budget airline charges for the same journey, while even the cheapest one-way flight comes in at a significantly higher price. A shared cab per seat costs more, and a private taxi several times more still, with no protection against highway disruptions. The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat does not merely connect two cities; it takes you through one of the most picturesque rail routes in the world.
From the rugged terrain of Jammu, across the gravity-defying Chenab and Anji bridges, through tunnels carved into the Himalayan rock, and into the sunlit valleys of Kashmir, every kilometre of this journey is an experience in itself. Indian Railways has priced this extraordinary ride below its own cost of operations, a deliberate choice to ensure that a journey of this quality remains within every passenger's reach. Paradise on Earth is no longer a privilege; it is a train ticket away. Do not miss the chance to travel this very special route.
Timed Perfectly for Kashmir's Golden Season
The Vande Bharat's extension coincides with the arrival of summer, the season when Kashmir truly earns its title of Paradise on Earth. As the valleys bloom, the Dal Lake shimmers, and the meadows of Pahalgam and Gulmarg beckon travellers from across the country, the timing of this service could not be more opportune. Tourists can now board at Jammu Tawi and arrive in Srinagar in under five hours, faster, cheaper, and more dependably than any alternative. The peak tourist months ahead are expected to push ridership well beyond the already impressive figures, and Indian Railways stands ready to meet that demand.
The Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is carrying not just passengers but the promise of a more connected and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
