 Early Times Report
JAMMU, May 2: Today, May 2nd, marks the dawn of a new era with the commencement of the Vande Bharat train service from Jammu to Srinagar-a monumental triumph for modern rail travel and the 'Make in India' initiative.
A new golden chapter has been added to the history of the Jammu Division today, May 2nd. The country's first Vande Bharat Express service operating between Jammu and Srinagar (Train Nos. 26401/26403) successfully completed its inaugural commercial run with an occupancy rate of approximately 70 percent. On its very first day, Train No. 26401 carried approximately 940 passengers from Jammu to Srinagar. Meanwhile, the second Vande Bharat train, Train No. 26403, successfully completed its journey from Jammu to Srinagar with 995 passengers on board.
On the return leg, Train Nos. 26404/26402 carried over 1,990 passengers from Srinagar to Jammu, who thoroughly enjoyed their journey.
This train is set to prove itself as a milestone-not only for its speed and amenities but also for its capacity to provide an all-weather rail link connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India.
The key achievements and features of the Vande Bharat Express are as follows:
Following its flag-off by the Honorable Union Minister of Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, on April 30, 2026, regular commercial operations of this train commenced on May 2, 2026.
This state-of-the-art train covers the distance between Jammu and Srinagar in just 4 hours and 45 minutes, resulting in significant time savings for passengers.
On its inaugural day, approximately 70 percent of the train's seats were booked, underscoring the immense popularity and trust this service enjoys among passengers. This Vande Bharat train is equipped with 'winterization' technology, enabling it to operate smoothly even in sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall. It features special 'heating cables' to prevent pipelines from freezing, as well as 1800W silicon heating pads installed in the water tanks.
As part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, this train-while traversing the world's highest Chenab Railway Bridge-will elevate the tourism and economy of the Valley to new heights. |
