The Vande Bharat Trains are set to enter the Kashmir region as the Prime Minister of India will launch the Vande Bharat Train Services on the Katra-Srinagar route on 6 June 2025. This development will connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country.
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, will launch the 2 Vande Bharat Trains with one operating between Katra and Srinagar and the other servicing the route from Srinagar to Katra. Currently, railway services are in operation between Baramulla, Srinagar, and Sangaldan within the Kashmir Valley. With the recent connectivity established between Sangaldan and Katra via train services, it is now possible to facilitate train travel between Jammu and Kashmir.
Delay in the Inauguration
The initial plan was to inaugurate the 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project on April 19. However, the ceremony was postponed due to adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the attack in Pahalgam on April 22 necessitated further delays in the inauguration.
Vande Bharat Trains to Pass Through Engineering Marvels
The Vande Bharat trains on this new route will traverse through the world’s highest railway bridge Chenab Bridge, which stands 359 meters above sea level. This bridge is part of the USBRL project, which is worth Rs 40,000 crore. The Vande Bharat train will also pass through the Anji Khad bridge, which represents India’s first cable-stayed bridge. Supported by 96 cables, the 725-meter-long bridge stands 331 meters above mean sea level. This structure is supported by 96 cables and extends 725 meters in length, rising to an impressive height of 331 meters above mean sea level.
Amenities in Vande Bharat Trains Designed for the Kashmir Region
The Vande Bharat Express operating in the Kashmir region has been specially designed to withstand extreme weather conditions while ensuring passenger comfort and operational efficiency.
Key Climate-Specific Features:
Advanced Heating Systems: The coaches are equipped with modern heating systems to maintain a comfortable ambient temperature for passengers during the harsh winter months.
Heated Driver’s Front Lookout Glass: The windshield features embedded heating elements to prevent fogging and frosting, for clear visibility in snowy or icy conditions.
Cold Climate Operational Technologies:
Silicone Heating Pads: These pads have been installed in water and bio-toilet tanks to prevent water from freezing. They ensure safe and uninterrupted functionality in zero or sub-zero temperatures.
Heated Plumbing Pipelines: Self-regulating heating cables run along the plumbing lines to prevent freezing, maintaining water flow in all weather conditions.
Auto-Draining Mechanism: This system automatically drains water from pipelines when the train is stationary for extended periods, preventing freezing and blockage in the plumbing systems.
