Jammu : In a move aimed at enhancing rail connectivity and passenger convenience, the Railway Administration has announced a change in the route and weekly non-running day of Train No. 26406/26405 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi KatraVande Bharat Express.
Under the revised arrangement, the Vande Bharat Express will now operate via Gurdaspur and Batala through Pathankot instead of the earlier route via Pathankot Cantt. Railway officials said the change is expected to provide direct access to the high-speed train service for passengers from Gurdaspur and Batala, who previously had to travel to Jammu or Pathankot Cantt to board the train.
The revised route is expected to boost regional connectivity, facilitate pilgrimage and tourism, and provide faster travel options for passengers in border areas of Punjab and Jammu region. The train will continue to operate with eight coaches.
Railways has also changed the train’s weekly non-running day from Tuesday to Saturday. With the revised schedule, the Vande Bharat Express will run six days a week from both Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Amritsar and will remain cancelled on Saturdays.
The new schedule will come into effect from June 16, 2026, for services originating from Amritsar and from June 17, 2026, for services originating from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra.
According to the revised timetable, Train No. 26406 will depart Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 6:40 am and reach Jammu Tawi at 8:03 am, Pathankot at 9:35 am, Gurdaspur at 10:15 am, Chhina at 10:45 am, Batala Junction at 10:54 am before arriving at Amritsar at 12:20 pm.
Similarly, Train No. 26405 will leave Amritsar at 4:25 pm and reach Batala Junction at 5:18 pm, Chhina at 5:35 pm, Gurdaspur at 5:58 pm, Pathankot at 6:32 pm, Jammu Tawi at 8:26 pm and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 10:00 pm.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu, Uchit Singhal said the diversion of the Vande Bharat route via Gurdaspur and Batala aims to provide modern, safe and punctual rail services to passengers in border districts and improve access to Delhi-NCR and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.
He said the decision has been taken in line with the passenger-centric approach of Jammu Division and is expected to boost passenger traffic, trade, education and tourism in the region.
The Railway Administration has advised passengers to plan their journeys according to the revised route and schedule and use Railway Helpline 139 or the IRCTC platform for reservations and real-time train information.
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