New Delhi/Srinagar: Indian Railways is set to launch the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, designed to connect New Delhi with Srinagar.

This semi-high-speed train will run on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), offering passengers an enhanced travel experience with modern amenities.

Manufactured by BEML, the Vande Bharat Sleeper train is built for long-distance and overnight journeys.

The prototype of the train was unveiled by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in September 2024.

The much-anticipated Vande Bharat Sleeper train service from New Delhi to Srinagar is expected to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2025, as per a PTI report. The commercial services are slated to begin soon after that.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper train will cover a distance of more than 800 km between New Delhi and Srinagar in under 13 hours.

This service will provide the first-ever direct rail connectivity between New Delhi and the Kashmir Valley, which currently lacks such a direct link.

According to ET Now, the Delhi-Srinagar-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper train will feature a variety of coaches: 11 AC 3-tier coaches, 4 AC 2-tier coaches and 1 First AC coach.

Ticket prices for this service are expected to range between: Rs 2000 for 3A (AC 3-tier), Rs 2500 for 2A (AC 2-tier) and Rs 3000 for 1A (First AC).

Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Sleeper: Timings and Stops

The New Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Sleeper train will depart from New Delhi at 19:00 hrs and is expected to reach Srinagar at 08:00 hrs the next morning. The train will make a few key stops en route, including: Ambala Cantt Junction, Ludhiana Junction, Kathua, Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Sangaldan, Banihal.