Overview
- The 20‑coach train, flagged off Thursday by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, establishes the first direct rail run between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar.
- The timetable lists two train pairs (26401/26402 and 26403/26404) running six days a week, covering the trip in about 4 hours 50 minutes with stops at Katra, Reasi and Banihal.
- Indian Railways expanded the rake from eight to 20 coaches after full occupancy on the Katra–Srinagar run, adding Kavach safety tech, GPS displays and winterisation such as self‑heating water lines and heated windshields for sub‑zero operation.
- The link rides on the completed Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link, a ₹43,780‑crore project featuring the Chenab arch bridge, the Anji Khad cable‑stayed bridge and long Himalayan tunnels.
- Officials expect fewer disruptions than the highway and quicker movement of tourists and goods, with next steps including track‑doubling near Srinagar and feasibility work to extend rail access toward Poonch, Rajouri and Uri.