New Delhi: The Ministry of Railways has approved the diversion of 26405/26406 Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express via Gurdaspur instead of Jalandhar City, along with a change in the non-running day of the train. The decision has been taken following a proposal sent by Northern Railway.

As per the order issued in March 2026, the Vande Bharat Express will now operate on the revised route Amritsar – Batala – Gurdaspur – Pathankot – Pathankot Cantt – Jammu Tawi – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. The train will not run on Saturday instead of Tuesday, as per the revised schedule approved by the Railway Board.

According to the new timetable, Train No. 26405 Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express will depart from Amritsar at around 11:40 hrs and reach Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 06:40 hrs, while Train No. 26406 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar Vande Bharat Express will depart from Katra at 06:40 hrs and arrive in Amritsar in the afternoon after halts at Jammu Tawi, Pathankot Cantt, Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Batala.

In a related decision, the Railways has also approved diversion of 19223/19224 Sabarmati–Jammu Tawi Express via Pathankot Cantt instead of Pathankot, with a scheduled stoppage at Pathankot Cantt station.

Railway officials said the changes will improve connectivity for passengers travelling from Gurdaspur region and Pathankot Cantt area, and will help in better operational management of train services in the Punjab–Jammu sector.

The Railway Board has directed that the revised route and schedule be implemented from the advance reservation period, and instructed the concerned zones to give wide publicity before the changes come into effect.