Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Carries Nearly 45,000 Passengers In First 10 Days
Srinagar, May 12: The Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express has witnessed overwhelming demand in the first ten days of operations, carrying nearly 45,000 passengers across the Jammu–Kashmir corridor since its regular service began on May 2, 2026.
According to railway data, the four daily Vande Bharat services operating on the route transported 44,727 passengers between May 2 and May 11. The numbers underline the growing popularity of the high-speed rail connection linking Jammu and Srinagar.
The rail corridor became fully operational after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the historic 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link in June 2025. Later, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the upgraded 20-coach Vande Bharat service on April 30, 2026.
Two pairs of Vande Bharat trains now operate on the route. Train numbers 26401 and 26402 run six days a week except Tuesdays, while services 26403 and 26404 operate daily except Wednesdays. Together, they provide at least four train services on most days and two services on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Passenger occupancy has remained exceptionally high since launch. On several days, trains operated close to full capacity, including 98.21 per cent occupancy recorded on May 10. Railway officials noted that even after expanding from 8 coaches to 20 coaches, demand continues to remain extremely strong.
Weekend travel has emerged as a major driver of ridership, with nearly 11,000 passengers travelling on Saturday and Sunday alone during the first operational week.
The service is being viewed as a major boost for tourism, trade and regional connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir. Travellers can now complete the Jammu–Srinagar journey in under five hours while crossing engineering landmarks such as the Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge.
The Vande Bharat trains have also been specially designed to operate in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, ensuring all-weather connectivity even during snowfall and highway disruptions.
Indian Railways has positioned the service as an affordable alternative to flights and road transport, offering lower fares and greater reliability for pilgrims, tourists, students, traders and daily travellers.
The launch also coincides with Kashmir’s peak summer tourism season, with destinations such as Dal Lake, Pahalgam and Gulmarg expected to witness increased tourist arrivals in the coming months.
