At -20°C, Vande Bharat readies to weather extreme cold in Kashmir

As the Indian Railways gears up to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country through a rail link, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday posted a video on social media of the Vande Bharat Express which will operate from Jammu to Kashmir.

So, what is special about the train which will ply in Kashmir?

Railway officials said the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express has been designed keeping the Kashmir Valley’s extreme weather conditions in mind.

With the “anti-freezing” features, the Vande Bharat Express that will run here will be different from other Vande Bharat trains running across the country, the officials said.

It is specially designed to operate smoothly even in temperatures as low as -20°C, they added. Listing several features of the train, the Railways said the train was equipped with advanced heating systems to ensure comfort for passengers and drivers.

“The driver’s cabin features a heated windshield to prevent it from fogging or freezing, ensuring clear visibility in extreme temperatures,” said the officials.

The train has also been fitted with heating elements in the plumbing and bio-toilets to prevent “water from freezing”, and ensuring that essential systems continue to function even during cold weather.

Vande Bharat train for Jammu to Kashmir! 🚄 pic.twitter.com/qvwuWAfhLd

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) January 11, 2025

As of now, rail services operate between Sangaldan in Jammu’s Ramban district and Baramulla in Kashmir. The track between Sangaldan and Reasi is also ready for train operations. With the 17-km Reasi-Katra section already completed and final inspections underway, the train services from Kashmir to the rest of the country are set to become a reality.