45,000 passengers travel in 10 days, Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat is the lifeline of the rest of Kashmir.
RNE Network.
The Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express has witnessed a strong response from commuters, carrying close to 45,000 passengers within 10 days of regular operations and reinforcing its role as a major transport link for Jammu and Kashmir.
Data released by the Press Information Bureau on Tuesday showed that 44,727 passengers travelled on the four daily services operating on the route between May 2 and May 11. During the first week alone, ending May 8, the trains ferried 28,762 passengers.
The growing ridership comes months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link on June 6, 2025, formally integrating the Kashmir Valley with India’s railway network.
Passenger capacity on the route was further expanded on April 30 after Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the upgraded 20-coach Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat service.
At present, two pairs of Vande Bharat trains operate on the corridor. Trains 26401 and 26402 run six days a week except Tuesdays, while trains 26403 and 26404 remain off on Wednesdays.
Railway figures showed sustained passenger demand throughout the period. More than 5,600 passengers travelled on May 10 alone, while over 5,000 passengers were recorded on May 9 and May 11, indicating heavy occupancy on most services.
The occupancy rate remained high even on days when only one pair of trains operated. Railways recorded over 94 percent occupancy on May 5 and May 6, while May 10 saw occupancy rise to 98.21 percent.
Officials said the service has emerged as a preferred travel option for tourists, pilgrims, students, traders and government employees due to its reliable and uninterrupted connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.
The rail journey passes through major engineering landmarks such as the Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge and traverses several tunnels through the Himalayan region before entering the Kashmir Valley.
Railway officials said the service also offers a more affordable alternative to air and road travel, with chair car fares, including meals, costing significantly less than flight tickets and private transport fares.
With the summer tourist season gaining momentum in destinations such as Dal Lake, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, officials expect passenger traffic on the route to increase further in the coming weeks.
Indian Railways said the Vande Bharat service is playing a significant role in improving connectivity, supporting economic activity and bringing Kashmir closer to the rest of the country through faster and dependable transport.
