Update: A Third Vande Bharat for Jammu-Srinagar Is Approved, but No Start Date Is Confirmed

The story so far

Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat services have been full since they began. Kashmir Life reports the first services started on June 6, 2025 between Katra and Srinagar, were extended to Jammu Tawi on April 30, 2026, and grew from 16 to 20 coaches each. Both existing trains have run with full occupancy, it says. Our student fare guide is here: Jammu to Srinagar from Rs 715.

What's new

• The Railway Ministry has approved a third Vande Bharat Express, trains 26407/26408, between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar via Udhampur, in a letter dated August 2026 (reports differ on whether it is dated August 18 or shared on August 21).
• One outlet reported that officials aimed to launch in September to handle the Navratri rush. We found no report of a flag-off, so the start date should be treated as not announced.
• News Arena's proposed timings, which are not official: Jammu Tawi 10:30 am, Udhampur 11:30 am, Srinagar 3:10 pm; return from Srinagar 4:00 pm, Katra 6:55 pm, Udhampur 7:30 pm, Jammu Tawi about 8:40 pm.
• Fares for the new train have not been specified. For reference, the existing trains were reported at Rs 855 to Rs 1,780 depending on train and class.

What to do now

Do not plan travel around the proposed timings. Check the Northern Railway notice or NTES for the confirmed schedule and booking opening date before you commit to a ticket. The Jammu-Srinagar run is 269 km in 4 hours 45 minutes on the existing trains, according to Kashmir Life.

Sources: Kashmir Life, News Arena. Photo: Jammu Tawi station at night (file photo), Sanu N / Wikimedia Commons.