New Vande Bharat Express to Connect Jammu and Srinagar in Under 5 Hours
Jammu to Srinagar in under 5 hours: ‘All-weather’ Vande Bharat from May 2
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
The Indian Railways will launch the all-weather Vande Bharat Express train connecting Jammu Tawi to Srinagar, significantly reducing travel time to just 4 hours and 50 minutes. The service, starting on May 2, 2026, will enhance connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, addressing long-standing travel challenges in the region.
- 01The Vande Bharat Express will cut travel time between Jammu and Srinagar to 4 hours and 50 minutes.
- 02The train service will begin on May 2, 2026, following an inaugural run on April 30.
- 03The train will operate six days a week, offering multiple daily services.
- 04This extension fulfills a long-standing demand for better connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.
- 05The project includes significant infrastructure developments, such as India's longest railway tunnel and the highest railway arch bridge.
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The Indian Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will inaugurate the all-weather Vande Bharat Express train, which will connect Jammu Tawi station to Srinagar in 4 hours and 50 minutes. This service, set to begin on May 2, 2026, is a response to the long-standing demand for improved transportation in the Jammu and Kashmir region. The train will increase the number of coaches from eight to 20 and will run at an average speed of over 55 km/h. Currently, travel by road takes about eight hours, often disrupted by landslides and heavy snowfall. The Vande Bharat train is designed to operate in extreme weather conditions, including temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. The train will depart Jammu Tawi at 6:20 AM and arrive in Srinagar at 11:10 AM, with halts at key stations. The project also marks a significant milestone in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, which became fully operational on June 6, 2025, after decades of development. This railway line aims to enhance connectivity to Kashmir, a project that dates back to 1898.
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The introduction of the Vande Bharat Express will significantly reduce travel time and improve connectivity for residents and visitors in Jammu and Kashmir, making travel more reliable and efficient.
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