Srinagar–SMVD Katra Vande Bharat Express
| Srinagar – SMVD Katra – Jammu Tawi 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 | Srinagar (SINA) Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SMVD) (Extension to Jammu Tawi) (TBC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 05 mins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service frequency | Six days a week [a] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Train number(s) | 26404 / 26403 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | 61 km/h (38 mph) (Avg.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average length | 192 metres (630 ft) (08 coaches) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track owner(s) | Indian Railways | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rake maintenance | (TBC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 26403/26404 Srinagar – SMVD Katra – Jammu Tawi Vande Bharat Express is India's 69th Vande Bharat Express train, which connects the summer capital city of Srinagar with the divine Vaishno Devi Temple in the Temple City of Katra 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 Srinagar, Banihal and SMVD Katra. This service currently runs along the recently finalized 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail corridor, a major initiative aimed at integrating the Kashmir Valley into the broader Indian rail system.
Looking ahead, the route is slated for expansion to terminate at Jammu Tawi. This upgrade will further boost passenger accessibility to and from Jammu, with operations likely to start once the ongoing redevelopment of the Jammu Tawi station is concluded later this year.[10][11]
Interesting Facts
- Traversing through remarkable feats of engineering, the special express train crosses the Chenab Rail Bridge, famed as the world’s highest rail bridge, and pass through the Banihal Tunnel, both of which play a major role in improving the area’s rail connectivity.
- This new rail service is poised to be a game-changer for the region, making visits to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra more accessible, attracting more tourists, and spurring economic activity throughout the Kashmir Valley through better transportation links.
Rakes
It is the sixty-fourth and the second 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. [12]
- To tackle extreme cold, this specially designed train is outfitted with advanced heating solutions tailored specifically for sub-zero weather environments.
- Equipped with defrosting heaters embedded in the driver’s windshield, the train ensures unobstructed sightlines even in the harshest winter conditions. [13]
Service
The 26404/26403 Srinagar – SMVD Katra 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 05 mins with average speed of 61 km/h. The Maximum Permissible Speed (MPS) will be confirmed after commercial run.
- ^ Except Wednesdays
See also
- Vande Bharat Express
- Tejas Express
- Gatiman Express
- Srinagar railway station
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra 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.
- ^ "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.