A third Vande Bharat Express has been approved between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar via Udhampur. Here’s the latest on its route, stops, train numbers, timetable and launch status.
India: The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express network is set to expand with a third Vande Bharat train between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar, giving passengers another fast rail option between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.
The Railway Ministry has approved the new service as Train No. 26407/26408, with Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur included as a stop. The approval was announced on August 20, 2026, following a request from the local population for better rail connectivity to Udhampur.
The development comes just months after the existing Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat services were extended to Jammu Tawi and upgraded to 20 coaches to meet strong passenger demand.
Here is everything travellers need to know about the third Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, including its route, stops, train numbers, timetable status and what it means for Kashmir travel.
Indian Railways has approved a third Vande Bharat Express on the Jammu Tawi-Srinagar route via Udhampur.
The new service will operate under train numbers:
The announcement was made by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on August 20, 2026, after approval from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The new train is expected to provide additional capacity on a route that has already seen strong passenger demand.
The biggest change with the third Vande Bharat is the inclusion of Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur railway station as a stop.
Udhampur residents had been seeking a Vande Bharat stoppage, and the Railway Ministry has now approved the demand. This will give passengers from the area direct access to the premium train service towards Srinagar and Jammu Tawi.
The new Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will operate between:
Jammu Tawi → Udhampur → Katra → Reasi → Banihal → Srinagar
The existing Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat services already cover the approximately 269-km corridor in around 4 hours 45 minutes, with stops including Udhampur, Katra, Reasi and Banihal.
The key stations on the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat corridor are:
For the third service, the inclusion of Udhampur is the major newly confirmed development.
The Jammu-Srinagar rail corridor covers roughly 269 km, with the existing Vande Bharat service taking about 4 hours 45 minutes between the two cities.
The direct Vande Bharat service has significantly improved rail connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. Before the direct service began, passengers travelling between the two cities had fewer convenient rail options and often relied on road or air travel.
The extended service from Jammu Tawi was launched on April 30, 2026, with regular operations beginning on May 2.
Not yet.
Although Indian Railways has approved the third Vande Bharat service and confirmed train numbers 26407/26408, the detailed timetable and operating schedule have not yet been officially released.
Passengers should therefore wait for an official railway notification before relying on specific departure or arrival times.
The same applies to the fare, booking opening date and final operational frequency of the new service.
| Detail | Latest Update |
|---|---|
| Route | Jammu Tawi – Srinagar |
| New Train | Third Vande Bharat Express |
| Train Number | 26407 / 26408 |
| Udhampur Stop | Approved |
| Route | Via Udhampur |
| Detailed Timetable | Awaited |
| Fare | Awaited |
| Booking Date | Awaited |
| Service Frequency | Awaited |
The third train will add to the two existing Vande Bharat train pairs operating on the Jammu-Srinagar corridor.
The existing services are:
Together, these provide four services between Jammu and Srinagar.
The trains were originally introduced between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar in June 2025. They were later extended to Jammu Tawi from April 30, 2026, creating a direct Vande Bharat connection between Jammu and Srinagar.
Passenger demand has already prompted Indian Railways to increase the capacity of the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat.
In April 2026, the train was upgraded from 8 coaches to 20 coaches and extended to Jammu Tawi. The Railway Ministry said the move was made in response to the service's strong passenger demand.
According to the Railway Ministry, the service recorded 100% occupancy from the beginning of its operations, highlighting the popularity of the Jammu-Srinagar rail connection.
The third Vande Bharat is therefore expected to provide additional capacity and more flexibility for passengers, particularly during the busy tourism and pilgrimage seasons.
The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat route is not just about faster transportation. It is also one of India's most spectacular railway journeys.
The train travels through the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), passing through tunnels, bridges and rugged Himalayan terrain.
Two of the most famous engineering landmarks along the corridor are the:
The Chenab Rail Bridge is one of the most iconic structures on the route and a major engineering achievement on the USBRL corridor.
The Anji Khad Bridge is another major structure along the railway line and forms part of the infrastructure connecting the Jammu region with the Kashmir Valley.
The Railway Ministry has highlighted the wider corridor's role in strengthening connectivity, tourism and economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir.
The approval of a third Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat could have several benefits for travellers.
With another Vande Bharat service, passengers will eventually have greater flexibility when planning trips between Jammu and Srinagar.
The Udhampur stop is one of the most important features of the new service.
Passengers from Udhampur will have direct access to the Vande Bharat network, making travel towards Jammu and Srinagar more convenient.
Faster and more convenient rail connectivity can make Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir easier to access for domestic travellers.
The existing Vande Bharat services have already attracted tourists, pilgrims, locals and traders. The Railway Ministry reported around 45,000 passengers during the first 10 days of the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat service in May 2026.
The route includes Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, making the service particularly useful for pilgrims combining Jammu, Katra and Kashmir in one trip.
The Jammu-Srinagar railway corridor provides an important all-weather transport link between the Jammu region and Kashmir Valley.
The Railway Ministry has also linked improved rail connectivity with tourism growth, freight movement and wider regional economic development.
For travellers, the biggest advantage of the Vande Bharat is the combination of speed, comfort and predictable rail travel.
The direct service covers the Jammu-Srinagar corridor in under five hours, while the route itself passes through some of the most challenging Himalayan terrain.
This makes the train particularly attractive for:
The third Vande Bharat has been approved, but its exact launch date has not yet been announced.
Indian Railways is expected to release additional information regarding:
Travellers should check the official Indian Railways/IRCTC channels once the service schedule is formally released.
The latest development is the approval of Train Nos. 26407/26408 as the third Vande Bharat service between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar.
The most significant update is that Udhampur will be included as a stop, responding to a long-standing demand from the local population.
This follows several major developments on the corridor in 2026, including the extension of existing Vande Bharat services to Jammu Tawi and the increase in train capacity to 20 coaches.
Yes. Indian Railways has approved a third Vande Bharat Express between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar via Udhampur.
The approved train numbers are 26407 and 26408.
Yes. Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur has been approved as a stop for the third service.
The corridor runs from Jammu Tawi to Srinagar via Udhampur, Katra, Reasi and Banihal.
No. The detailed timetable has not yet been officially announced.
The existing service covers the approximately 269-km route in around 4 hours 45 minutes.
There are currently two Vande Bharat train pairs, providing four services, with the third service now approved.
If you are planning a Jammu to Srinagar trip by Vande Bharat in 2026, do not rely on unconfirmed timings or fares for the new service yet.
The third train has been approved, but passengers should wait for the official timetable and booking announcement before making reservations.
For now, the major confirmed update is clear: Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat is expanding, and the third service will bring Udhampur onto the route as a confirmed stop.
The approval of a third Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is another major development for rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.
With train numbers 26407/26408, a route between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar, and a confirmed Udhampur stop, the new service is expected to provide more travel options on one of India's fastest-growing rail corridors.
The expansion also comes after the existing Vande Bharat services were extended to Jammu Tawi and upgraded to 20 coaches because of strong passenger demand.
For tourists, pilgrims and local travellers, the upcoming third service could make Jammu to Srinagar train travel even more convenient. The next key updates to watch are the launch date, timetable, fare and IRCTC booking availability.
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