Strong passenger demand highlights growing popularity of rail travel to Kashmir during peak summer season

The newly launched Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express services have emerged as a major success story for Indian Railways, carrying nearly 45,000 passengers within just 10 days of operations.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the four daily Vande Bharat services operating on the Jammu–Kashmir corridor transported 44,727 passengers between May 2 and May 11, 2026, signalling massive demand for faster, affordable and all-weather rail connectivity to Kashmir.

The services were inaugurated following the completion of the historic Indian Railways Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), one of India’s most ambitious railway infrastructure projects.

Key Highlights

• Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat trains carried 44,727 passengers in first 10 days
• 28,762 passengers travelled during the maiden operational week alone
• Occupancy touched over 98% during peak weekend demand
• 20-coach Vande Bharat trains now operating on the corridor
• Rail travel expected to significantly boost Kashmir tourism this summer
• Faster and more affordable alternative to flights and road travel
• Route includes iconic Chenab and Anji railway bridges

Kashmir Rail Tourism Witnessing Strong Demand

The Vande Bharat services are rapidly becoming the preferred travel option for tourists, pilgrims, traders and local commuters travelling between Jammu and Kashmir.

On several days, occupancy levels approached full capacity, including:

• 5,657 passengers on May 10
• 5,284 passengers on May 9
• 5,024 passengers on May 11

Weekend demand has been particularly strong, with nearly 11,000 passengers travelling on Saturday and Sunday combined.

Indian Railways said the trains, which previously operated with eight coaches, have now been expanded to 20 coaches due to sustained demand on the corridor.

Faster and More Affordable Access to Kashmir

The Vande Bharat service is expected to play a major role in supporting Kashmir’s summer tourism season by offering a quicker and more economical travel alternative.

Passengers can now travel from Jammu to Srinagar in under five hours, significantly reducing travel time compared to road journeys that are often affected by landslides and highway closures.

According to the Railways, ticket prices remain substantially lower than airfares and even competitive with shared taxi services, making rail travel more accessible for domestic tourists and families.

Scenic Rail Journey Through the Himalayas

The Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat route is already being positioned as one of India’s most scenic rail journeys.

The route passes through major engineering landmarks including:

• Chenab Rail Bridge
• Anji Khad Bridge

Passengers also travel through multiple Himalayan tunnels, valleys and mountain landscapes before reaching Kashmir.

The enhanced rail connectivity is expected to improve tourist flow towards destinations such as:

• Dal Lake
• Pahalgam
• Gulmarg

This is likely to benefit hotels, tour operators, local transport providers and hospitality businesses across the Valley during the ongoing peak tourism season.

All-Weather Connectivity Strengthens Passenger Confidence

Indian Railways noted that the Vande Bharat trains operating on the route are specially designed to function in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius.

The all-weather rail corridor is expected to provide a dependable transportation option during winter months when snowfall and landslides frequently disrupt highway connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.

A Major Milestone for Kashmir Connectivity

The Vande Bharat expansion follows the inauguration of the 272-km USBRL project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2025.

Railways officials said the corridor is not only improving passenger mobility but also strengthening economic integration, tourism growth and regional connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir.

With summer travel demand continuing to rise, Indian Railways expects ridership on the Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat services to increase further in the coming months.