SMVD Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express
| Jammu Tawi – SMVD Katra – Srinagar Vande Bharat Express | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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J&K’s first Vande Bharat train completing trial run from SMVD Katra to Srinagar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service type | Vande Bharat Express | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Jammu and Kashmir | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First service | June 06 2025 (Inaugural) June 07 2025 (Commercial) [1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current operator(s) | Northern Railways (NR) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Route | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini | Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SMVD) (Extension to Jammu Tawi) (TBC) Srinagar (SINA) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stops | 1 2 (after extn to Jammu Tawi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance travelled | 189 km (117 mi) After Extn, 272 km (169 mi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average journey time | 03 hrs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service frequency | Six days a week [a] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Train number(s) | 26401 / 26402 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line(s) used | Jammu–Baramulla line | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-board services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class(es) | AC Chair Car, AC Executive Chair Car | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seating arrangements |
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| Sleeping arrangements | No | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catering facilities | On board Catering | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Observation facilities | Large windows in all coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Entertainment facilities |
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| Baggage facilities | Overhead racks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other facilities | Kavach, Advanced heating systems | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rolling stock | Specially-Designed Mini Vande Bharat 2.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | Indian gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electrification | 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead line | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | 63 km/h (39 mph) (Avg.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average length | 192 metres (630 ft) (08 coaches) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track owner(s) | Indian Railways | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rake maintenance | (TBC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 26401/26402 Jammu Tawi – SMVD Katra – Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is India's 68th Vande Bharat Express train, which connects the divine Vaishno Devi Temple in the Temple City of Katra with the summer capital city of Srinagar in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India.
This express train was inaugurated on June 06 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Katra in Jammu and Kashmir. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Overview
This specially designed train is currently operated by Indian Railways, connecting SMVD Katra, Banihal and Srinagar. It currently operates on the newly completed Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, a 272-kilometer project designed to integrate the Kashmir Valley with India's railway network.
By September 2025,[10] the service is planned to be extended to originate from Jammu Tawi, enhancing connectivity for passengers traveling to and from Jammu. This extension is expected to commence once the modernization work at Jammu Tawi station is completed later this year. [11][12]
Interesting Facts
- This special express train traverses significant infrastructural landmarks, including the Chenab Rail Bridge—the world's highest railway bridge and the Banihal Tunnel, enhancing connectivity in the region.
- The introduction of this express train on this route will boost tourism, facilitate easier pilgrimages to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, and promote economic development in the Kashmir Valley by improving access and reducing travel time.
Rakes
It is the sixty-third and the first specially designed 2nd Generation Vande Bharat 2.0 Express train which was designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur, Chennai under the Make in India Initiative. [13]
- This is equipped with climate-specific adaptations to provide advanced heating systems in sub-zero temperatures.
- The driver’s front look-out glass is embedded with heating elements for defrosting and to ensure clear visibility during harsh winters. [14]
Service
The 26401/26402 SMVD Katra – Srinagar Vande Bharat Express currently operates 6 days a week, covering a distance of 189 km (117 mi) in a travel time of a mere 03 hrs with average speed of 63 km/h. The Maximum Permissible Speed (MPS) will be confirmed after commercial run.
- ^ Except Tuesdays
See also
- Vande Bharat Express
- Tejas Express
- Gatiman Express
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station
- Srinagar railway station
References
- ^ "Katra - Srinagar Vande Bharat Express begins operations from June 7: Key details". India Today. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat train between Katra and Srinagar". India Today. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "PM Modi Flags Off Two Vande Bharat Express Trains From Katra To Srinagar | Check Routes, Timings". News18. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Tyagi, Vanshika. "Katra to Srinagar in 3 hours: PM Modi flags off new Kashmir Vande Bharat express, know ticket prices, stoppages, timings and more". DNA India. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Thakur, Rajesh Kumar (6 June 2025). "PM Modi inaugurates Chenab arch railway bridge, flags off Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (3 June 2025). "PM Modi will inaugurate Vande Bharat train service from Katra to Srinagar on June 6". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "PM Modi to flag off Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat service on June 6". moneycontrol. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
{{cite web}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - ^ "PM Modi likely to launch Vande Bharat express to Srinagar on June 6". India Today. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Thakur, Rajesh Kumar (3 June 2025). "PM Modi likely to flag off Vande Bharat train in Katra; his first J&K visit post Pahalgam terror attack". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Desk, GK Web (5 June 2025). "Direct train between Jammu and Srinagar will run in September: Union Minister". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Train to Kashmir: Jammu to Srinagar Vande Bharat train launch this month; to cut Katra-Srinagar travel time to just 3 hours". ET Now. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "PM Modi to inaugurate Kashmir's first Vande Bharat train in April on THIS date – Govt shares latest update". Financialexpress. 31 March 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Train 18, India's Fastest, Named "Vande Bharat Express": Piyush Goyal". NDTV.com. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ PTI (8 January 2025). "Railways unveils Vande Bharat, specially designed for winters in J&K, for Katra-Srinagar route". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 April 2025.