Rail Minister to Flag Off Extended Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat on April 30

New Delhi is buzzing with anticipation as Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw prepares to launch the extended Vande Bharat Express from Jammu Tawi to Srinagar on April 30. This upgrade transforms the premium train service, previously running between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, into a direct lifeline connecting Jammu Tawi—Jammu and Kashmir's major rail hub—with the scenic Kashmir Valley. After flagging off the train at Jammu Tawi station, Vaishnaw will inspect two engineering marvels of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL): the Anji Khad Bridge and the world's highest rail arch bridge over the Chenab River. These feats underscore India's ambitious push to integrate the Kashmir region via world-class infrastructure. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2024, with eight coaches, the Vande Bharat quickly became a hit, operating at full capacity amid overwhelming passenger demand. The expansion adds 12 more coaches, doubling capacity to over 1,100 seats. This addresses chronic booking pressures, especially during pilgrimage and tourist seasons when Vaishno Devi yatra peaks and Kashmir's valleys draw crowds. Pilgrims no longer face the dread of sold-out seats weeks in advance. Tourists planning Valley getaways and locals relying on daily commutes gain reliable access without turnaways. Extending to Jammu Tawi aligns the train's scale with the bustling demands of the region's largest passenger hub. While April 30 marks the ceremonial run, regular service kicks off May 2 with two daily pairs covering 266 km. Train 26401 departs Jammu Tawi at 6:20 AM, stopping at Katra, Reasi, and Bhanuhaal, arriving Srinagar by 11:10 AM—a swift 4-hour-50-minute journey. Its return, 26402, leaves Srinagar at 2:00 PM, reaching Jammu Tawi at 6:50 PM, running six days a week except Tuesdays. The second pair, 26404 from Srinagar at 8:00 AM arrives Jammu Tawi by 12:40 PM, with 26403 returning from Jammu Tawi at 1:20 PM to Srinagar by 6:00 PM, skipping Wednesdays. This schedule offers morning and afternoon options most days, providing flexibility for travelers. This extension eliminates hassles for millions. Pilgrims from Delhi, Mumbai, and beyond arriving at Jammu Tawi previously changed trains or buses to reach Katra. Now, they board Vande Bharat directly for seamless travel to Katra and beyond to Srinagar, combining Vaishno Devi darshan with Amarnath Yatra without interruptions. Tourists gain a scenic rail odyssey through Shivalik foothills, under Chenab and Anji bridges, piercing Himalayan tunnels to Dal Lake and Mughal gardens—bypassing highway delays, treacherous mountain roads, and snow closures. Local residents—students, officials, patients—skip Katra layovers for direct connectivity. Winter reliability shines brightest. Designed for -20°C with heated windshields and all-weather components, Vande Bharat ensures links when highways succumb to blizzards. It boosts Kashmir's handicraft economy—pashmina, walnut carvings, saffron—by slashing transport costs and uncertainties for artisans and traders. Vaishnaw's inspection highlights USBRL's crown jewels: Anji Khad, India's first cable-stayed rail bridge at 331m, stabilized by 96 cables, and Chenab Bridge at 359m, taller than the Eiffel Tower. Part of a 272 km Himalayan project with 36 tunnels and 943 bridges costing ₹43,780 crore, USBRL enables this service. From Udhampur-Katra in 2014 to Kashmir's first electric train in 2024 and a dedicated Jammu division in 2025, this extension crowns a decade of rail revolution, opening Jammu-Kashmir to millions more.