Vande Bharat Express, running between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, is being extended to Jammu Tawi. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav will flag off the extended Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express from Jammu Tawi railway station on Thursday, April 30. After inauguration, its regular services will start from May 2, 2026. This train, which earlier ran from Srinagar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, will now run up to Jammu Tawi. After flagging off the train, Ashwini Vaishnav will also inspect two of the country’s most notable engineering structures, Anji Bridge and Chenab Bridge, located on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link.
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on June 6, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on June 6, 2025. At that time there were only 8 coaches in this train. Srinagar Vande Bharat Express has been running at full capacity since its inauguration and has received an overwhelming response from passengers, in view of which it has been decided to increase the number of coaches from 8 to 20. With this step of Railways, the seating capacity of Srinagar Vande Bharat Express train will more than double. The pressure on reservations and waiting lists will be greatly reduced, especially during the busy pilgrimage and tourism season.
Pilgrims and tourists will get confirmed seats
For pilgrims who often find seats full days in advance of their journey, for tourists planning to visit the valley and for local residents who depend on this service for daily commuting, the expanded rake has now come as a big relief. With the increase in the number of coaches, the chances of passengers not getting a seat will reduce significantly. With the extension to Jammu-Tawi, Vande Bharat Rail with 20 coaches will reach its largest passenger city to its capacity. This train has been made as per the demand which has always been meeting its increasing demand.
SK Sharma is a content writer who writes on news, entertainment, and lifestyle topics. She has over four years of experience and is known for conveying information in simple and clear language.
