Railway Board Gives Nod to Experimental Stoppage; Implementation to Begin After Security Clearance
ANANTNAG, SEPTEMBER 3 : The Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is set to make an experimental halt at Anantnag railway station after the Railway Board approved the proposal, a decision expected to provide a major boost to rail connectivity for passengers across south Kashmir.
As per an official communication issued by the Ministry of Railways/Railway Board on August 17, 2026, an experimental stoppage has been sanctioned for train numbers 26401/26402 Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express at Anantnag.
The Railway Board has instructed Northern Railway to introduce the halt from an “early convenient date”, subject to completion of the required security clearance and other operational formalities.
The communication, issued under reference number 2025/CHG/13/NR/18-PART(24), was addressed to the General Manager (Operating), Northern Railway, New Delhi, with copies forwarded to senior passenger transportation officials, including the Chief Passenger Transportation Manager (CPTM).
As part of the experimental arrangement, railway authorities have been directed to closely monitor ticket bookings and passenger response at Anantnag station. The data will subsequently help authorities assess the viability and performance of the stoppage.
The Railway Board has also called for wide publicity of the newly approved halt and directed the concerned officials to ensure that all instructions are complied with and implementation is formally confirmed.
The proposed stoppage is expected to bring considerable relief to commuters from Anantnag and neighbouring areas of south Kashmir, allowing passengers to access the Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat service from a station located closer to their homes.
The move is also being viewed as an important step towards strengthening passenger connectivity between south Kashmir and other parts of the region through the semi-high-speed rail service.
The official communication has been signed by Vivek Kumar Sinha, Joint Director (Coaching), Railway Board.
Copies of the order have also been forwarded to the Executive Director/Passenger Marketing (ED/PM), Railway Board, and CMD/IRCTC, New Delhi, among other concerned authorities.
However, the final date and timings for the Anantnag stoppage have not yet been specified. The halt will commence after the necessary operational arrangements and security clearance are completed.(KNC)
