Srinagar-Jammu Vande Bharat Express: Occupancy inches towards 90% within 10 days of commercial run

“Seamless connectivity strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s growth story.”

True to its tagline by the Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, the premium service of the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express – a semi-high-speed train – has touched a significant milestone by inching towards around 90 percent occupancy rate within ten days of its commercial run.

“Its occupancy is good. Service is maintaining around 90 percent occupancy rate. Precisely, during the past ten days, it has crossed (average) occupancy rate of 86.5 percent, inching towards 90 percent. Spiralling occupancy rate is a clear indication of its surging popularity among the passengers. With the onset of tourist season, it is making a stupendous contribution vis-a-vis tourist influx. Positive feedback reflects its surging popularity and spiralling enthusiasm among passengers,” shared Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) Jammu Railway Division, Uchit Singhal, while speaking to Greater Kashmir.

Explaining further on this account, he points out that on an average, daily around 2500 passengers are using this service (comprising 2 pairs of trains) to travel to the Valley and a similar number is arriving here (in Jammu).

“This is a transformative impact of the service for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, fast emerging as an important lifeline that is providing seamless connectivity, promoting tourism besides strengthening the regional economy,” Singhal asserts.

Is it (service) maintaining up-trajectory consistently or following a zig-zag fashion?

Responding to this question, Senior DCM Jammu Railway Division maintained that it demonstrated a surge during the week-end. “Week-end patterns determine overall occupancy because they record a surge,” he said.

Commercial operation of this premium direct railway service between Srinagar and Jammu commenced on May 2, 2026 – two days after the inaugural extended Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express was flagged-off by the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on April 30, 2026 from Jammu Railway Station.

It during its inaugural week-end (May 2 and 3, 2026), had recorded around 74 percent average occupancy rate.

During the first two days of its regular run i.e., on May 2 and 3, around 9000 passengers completed to-and-fro journey between Jammu and Srinagar. Occupancy rates on days one and two (of the commercial run) was 70 and 76 percent respectively.

It (occupancy rate) surged to a staggering 96 percent during the second week-end (May 9 and 10), ferrying around 11,000 passengers between two capital cities (Jammu and Srinagar).

On May 4, 4680 passengers travelled, registering an occupancy rate of 82 percent. On May 5, 2026, the rate spiralled up to 96 percent. It is, however, notable that on Tuesdays only a single pair of Vande Bharat Express (train numbers 26404 and 26403) operates between Jammu and Srinagar.

Since the commencement of its commercial run on May 2, 2026, over 40,000 passengers have availed this service to travel between two capital cities of J&K.

Given the persistent surge in its popularity, is it proving to be a profitable venture for the organisation (Railways), Singhal’s response to this question was, “Big projects like Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) are profit-oriented in terms of gigantic boost, they offer to the economy of the region by opening umpteen vistas of development with seamless connectivity, promoting trade, generating employment etc. Aim of this project is not to earn profit but to serve the larger interests of the valley – socially, emotionally and economically. As part of the USBRL project, this (Jammu-Srinagar) train service is well-achieving this purpose and will elevate the tourism and economy of the Valley to new heights.”

Is the newly set up Jammu Railway Division of the Northern Railway encountering any challenge in the operation of this premium service?

“No. There has been no challenge so far. However, the main challenge for us will come after the present two pairs of trains achieve 100 percent occupancy. How will we plan and operate new trains to meet the surging demand? This proposition will come as a challenge for us,” Singhal said.

On this account, he shared, “So far these (current) two pairs of 20-coach trains are well-catering to the demands. Once they touch 100 percent occupancy or exceed it, we will plan to resume operation of 8-coach Vande Bharat (which used to operate prior to April 30 between Katra-Srinagar) as well to meet the enhanced demand as was stated by the Union Minister for Railways, while flagging off Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat. 8-coach rake (Vande Bharat) is available with us.”

The Vande Bharat train covers the distance of approximately 267 kilometers between Jammu and Srinagar in just 4 hours and 50 minutes.

Anticipating 100 percent occupancy rate in the coming few days, Singhal reaffirms, “Jammu Railway Division remains steadfastly committed to the service and safety of its passengers.”

“During its journey, the train traverses two engineering marvels – the world’s highest railway bridge, the ‘Chenab bridge’, and the ‘Anji Khad bridge.’ This unique experience has emerged as a major attraction for both tourists and local commuters alike,” points out Publicity Relations Inspector, Jammu Railway Division, Raghvender Singh.