The train was originally flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 10, 2025. It operates under the Firozpur Division of Northern Railway with train numbers 26405 and 26406.
This Vande Bharat Express runs five days a week, with no service on Saturdays. The journey takes approximately five hours. From Amritsar, the train departs at 4:40 PM and arrives at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 9:45 PM. On the return trip, it leaves Katra at 6:40 AM, reaching Amritsar at 11:40 AM.
The train now follows a revised route for passenger convenience, traveling through Batala Junction, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Jammu Tawi, stopping at all these stations in both directions. Previously, the train ran via Jalandhar Cantt, but the route has been changed to better serve passengers from Batala, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot.
The Northern Railway issued a statement saying, “Keeping in view the convenience of passengers, Train No. 26406/26405 Amritsar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Amritsar Vande Bharat Express will now be operated via Batala, Gurdaspur and Pathankot route.”
The resumption of this service and the new route is expected to significantly improve rail connectivity and provide relief to thousands of travelers journeying to the sacred Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
