SMVD Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express

Not to be confused with Srinagar–SMVD Katra Vande Bharat Express, India's 69th semi high-speed Mini Vande Bharat Express train.

Jammu Tawi – SMVD Katra – Srinagar Vande Bharat Express
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;4 months ago (June 06 2025) (Inaugural) June 07 2025;4 months ago (June 07 2025) (Commercial) [1]
Current operator	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	26401 / 26402
Line used	Jammu–Baramulla line
On-board services
Classes	AC Chair Car, AC Executive Chair Car
Seating arrangements	Airline style Rotatable seats
Sleeping arrangements	No
Catering facilities	On board Catering
Observation facilities	Large windows in all coaches
Entertainment facilities	On-board WiFi Infotainment System Electric outlets Reading light Seat Pockets Bottle Holder Tray Table
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	Indian Railways
Rake maintenance	(TBC)
Route map Legend Jammu Tawi 26401 / 26403 ↓ Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Banihal 26402 / 26404 ↑ Srinagar

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 6, 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.

1. Except Tuesdays

See also

• Vande Bharat Express
• Tejas Express
• Gatiman Express
• Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station
• Srinagar railway station

References

1. "Katra - Srinagar Vande Bharat Express begins operations from June 7: Key details". India Today. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
2. "PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat train between Katra and Srinagar". India Today. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
3. "PM Modi Flags Off Two Vande Bharat Express Trains From Katra To Srinagar | Check Routes, Timings". News18. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. "PM Modi will inaugurate Vande Bharat train service from Katra to Srinagar on June 6". The Hindu. 3 June 2025. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 4 June 2025.
7. "PM Modi to flag off Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat service on June 6". Moneycontrol. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
8. "PM Modi likely to launch Vande Bharat express to Srinagar on June 6". India Today. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
9. 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.
10. "Direct train between Jammu and Srinagar will run in September: Union Minister". Greater Kashmir. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
11. "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.
12. "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.
13. "Train 18, India's Fastest, Named "Vande Bharat Express": Piyush Goyal". NDTV.com. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
14. 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.