To enhance railway connectivity between New Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Railways is considering the launch of a Vande Bharat Sleeper train service from Delhi to Srinagar by the end of 2026, officials confirmed. A senior railway official at Rail Bhawan stated that the proposal aims to connect New Delhi with Srinagar via Vande Bharat, with the train expected to commence operations in December 2026, once the Jammu-Baramulla railway link is fully completed.
The official indicated that the Vande Bharat Sleeper train will cover the 800-kilometer journey in approximately 13 hours. The service will feature three classes: AC 3 Tier (3A), AC 2 Tier (2A), and AC First Class (1A), with ticket prices ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000. Key stops along the route will include Ambala Cantonment Junction, Ludhiana Junction, Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Banihal, Srinagar, and Baramulla.
“This service will not only improve connectivity but also provide easier access to popular tourist destinations,” the official noted. If successful, there are plans to extend the route to Baramulla. This initiative is part of Indian Railways’ broader strategy to modernize its network and boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier in January 2024, the Railway Board allotted eight coaches for a Vande Bharat Express along the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). The train design is being handled by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, which is recognized as the world’s largest producer of railway passenger coaches.
Meanwhile, the Katra-Reasi track remains the final segment needed to fully connect the Kashmir Valley by the end of December. Progress on this segment has been rapid, with completion expected soon. A senior official at Northern Railways mentioned that the pending work from Reasi to Katra is underway and should be finished by December 2024.
“This project faced delays due to the challenging topography and geology of the area. However, once the 46-kilometer electrified section is operational, Railways will have completed 255 kilometers of the 272-kilometer USBRL project,” the official added.
The 45-kilometer Sangaldan-Reasi rail section of the USBRL project has already been completed and is ready for operations. Recently, Commissioner Railway Safety (CRS), Dinesh Chand Deshwal, and his team conducted a three-day inspection of the new Sangaldan-Reasi section, confirming that the track is ready for service.
“We have successfully completed the Sangaldan-Reasi section, including work on the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge. The track is operational, and train services will be inaugurated soon. The Reasi to Katra tracks will be completed by the end of December,” the official stated.
In July, a full train crossed the Chenab River bridge between Dugga and Bakkal stations for the first time. With a central span of 467 meters and a staggering height of 359 meters, this bridge holds the title of the world’s highest railway bridge.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Jammu on February 20 this year, virtually dedicated the new rail line between Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan (48 km) and the newly electrified Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section (185.66 km) to the nation. He also flagged off the first electric train in the valley and inaugurated train service between Sangaldan and Baramulla stations, stating that these projects would improve connectivity, ensure environmental sustainability, and enhance the overall economic development of the region.
