Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat to undertake inaugural run on April 30
Final date for the commencement of regular services between Jammu and Srinagar to be announced later
The Vande Bharat train between Jammu and Srinagar is set to undertake its inaugural run on April 30, marking a significant milestone in rail connectivity in the region.
Train number 02601 will depart from Jammu at 10:30 am and reach Katra at 11:54 am, where it will halt for five minutes before proceeding towards Srinagar. The train is scheduled to arrive in Srinagar at 3:05 pm.
Railways officials said that the final date for the commencement of regular services between Jammu and Srinagar will be announced later. At present, two Vande Bharat trains are operational between Katra and Srinagar.
Keeping in view the challenging terrain and extreme winter conditions of the region, the Railways has introduced a specially designed Vande Bharat train for this section. While retaining its semi-high-speed capability, the train incorporates advanced “winterisation” features to ensure smooth operations even in sub-zero temperatures.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said that, for the first time in Indian Railways, self-regulating heating cables have been installed to prevent water pipelines from freezing. These cables can automatically adjust their heat output depending on external temperatures.
“For passenger comfort, provisions have been made to supply warm air to restrooms through dedicated ducts connected to the main air-conditioning system. Heaters and thermal insulation have also been installed in Indian-style toilets to ensure the proper functioning of the vacuum evacuation system,” Singhal said.
