Srinagar–SMVD Katra Vande Bharat Express

Not to be confused with SMVD Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, India's 68th semi high-speed Mini Vande Bharat Express train.

Srinagar – SMVD Katra – Jammu Tawi 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	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	26404 / 26403
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	61 km/h (38 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 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 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 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.

1. Except Wednesdays

See also

• Vande Bharat Express
• Tejas Express
• Gatiman Express
• Srinagar railway station
• Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra 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. "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.
11. "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.
12. "Train 18, India's Fastest, Named "Vande Bharat Express": Piyush Goyal". NDTV.com. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
13. 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.