Specially designed Vande Bharat for Kashmir arrives in Jammu

The specially designed Vande Bharat Express train, set to operate between Katra and Kashmir, reached Jammu railway station from New Delhi on Friday, creating excitement among locals and passengers.

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As the announcement of the train’s arrival was made, many rushed to Platform 1 to witness the historic moment, with some even raising slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai.’

The train was stationed at the Jammu railway station for 15 minutes, and while no passengers were aboard, it was a significant sight for the onlookers. The Vande Bharat Express will begin its journey between Katra and Kashmir after its formal inauguration, expected to take place in the coming days by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Modi is expected to flag off the train from Katra, as the commissioner of Railway Safety has given the green signal for running the train service on the Katra-Baramulla section. The date of flagging off has not been announced.

The Vande Bharat Express for the Katra-Srinagar route is specially designed to handle Jammu and Kashmir’s challenging winter conditions. It incorporates climate-related features that ensure its seamless operation in extreme weather.

The train boasts advanced heating systems to prevent freezing of water and bio-toilet tanks, as well as warm air for the vacuum system and the air-brake system, which ensures smooth functioning in sub-zero temperatures. Additionally, it features embedded heating elements in the windshield to automatically defrost the driver’s front glass, ensuring clear visibility during harsh winters.

In addition to these climate-related features, it includes all other amenities of the existing Vande Bharat trains including fully air-conditioned coaches, automatic plug doors, mobile charging sockets and the likes.

“We are elated over the arrival of this special train to Kashmir. It is our dream to travel on this train. Now Kashmir is fully connected by train to Kanniyakumari, the other end of India,” said Pune resident Adik Kadam, who was visiting Kashmir with his family to witness the snowfall.

“Kashmir now feels very close to us due to this train connectivity,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Railways has so far completed the 272 kilometers of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

Over the past month, IndianRailways has conducted six trial runs on various sections of the track, including crucial milestones such as India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, Anji Khad Bridge and the iconic arch bridge over the Chenab River at Kauri. The Vande Bharat Express train, one of the 136 currently operational across the country, has several added features to meet the specific needs of passengers traveling in J&K.

(With agency inputs)