🚆 Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Becomes Massive Hit, Carries 45,000 Passengers in Just 10 Days

Published on: May 12, 2026
Category: Railway / Travel News
Author: FlipMyTravel Editorial Team

The newly launched Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing railway tourism success stories, carrying nearly 45,000 passengers within just 10 days of regular operations. The premium train service is rapidly transforming travel to Kashmir by offering faster, affordable, and all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the four daily Vande Bharat services on the Jammu-Kashmir corridor transported 44,727 passengers between May 2 and May 11, 2026. During its very first week alone, the service handled over 28,700 travelers, highlighting the huge demand for rail travel to Kashmir.

The upgraded 20-coach Vande Bharat trains were flagged off by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw after the historic Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link became fully operational. The rail corridor is now being seen as a game-changer for tourism, pilgrimage, local trade, and regional connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir Tourism Gets Major Boost

The timing of the Vande Bharat expansion perfectly aligns with Kashmir’s peak summer tourism season. Travelers can now reach Srinagar from Jammu in under five hours while enjoying scenic Himalayan landscapes, tunnels, and iconic engineering marvels like the Chenab and Anji bridges.

Officials said the service witnessed exceptionally high occupancy during weekends, touching nearly 98% capacity on May 10. Saturday and Sunday alone recorded close to 11,000 passengers, showing strong tourist demand for the route.

Tourists visiting popular destinations such as Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam are expected to benefit significantly from the improved connectivity.

Affordable Alternative to Flights and Road Travel

Indian Railways stated that the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat is currently one of the most affordable travel options on the route compared to flights and taxis. Chair Car tickets, including meals, cost much less than airfare while also eliminating the uncertainty caused by highway closures and bad weather conditions.

The train has also been specially designed to operate in extreme winter conditions, including temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, making it a dependable year-round transport option for locals and tourists alike.

With nearly 45,000 passengers in just 10 days, Indian Railways’ Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is transforming travel to the Kashmir Valley with speed, comfort and affordability.

Read more: https://t.co/kCSebCHFpX

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 12, 2026

A New Era for Kashmir Connectivity

Railway officials believe the Vande Bharat service is more than just a transport project. It is expected to improve tourism-driven economic growth, strengthen regional trade, and make Kashmir more accessible to travelers from across India.

With rising passenger demand and strong tourist interest, the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is quickly becoming one of India’s most iconic rail journeys.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)