Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Railway Board Puts JammuSrinagar Vande Bharat Extension on Hold

Final approval is awaited despite a published schedule plus a 20‑coach upgrade plan.

Overview

  • Hours after Northern Railway announced a March 1 start for direct JammuSrinagar service, the Railway Board paused the rollout pending further advice.
  • An official notice had assigned train numbers 26401/26402 with departures at 06:15 from Jammu and around 14:00 from Srinagar, reaching Jammu about 18:50.
  • The train’s rake is being expanded from eight to 20 coaches, lifting capacity to over 1,440 passengers from about 530, according to officials.
  • The journey is slated to take roughly 4 hours 50–55 minutes at an average 54–55 km/h, with planned halts including Katra, Reasi, Banihal and Srinagar, and some reports adding Bajalta and Ramnagar.
  • The move builds on the USBRL corridor completed in June 2025, while station readiness at Jammu Tawi and final clearances are still being addressed.