An important step towards improving connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar has been taken with the formal arrival of the specially built Vande Bharat Express train for Kashmir at Jammu Tawi railway station. Locals and spectators who came to see the historic occasion were enthusiastic about this event, which happened on January 24, 2025.
The train will go about 150 miles in only two hours and thirty minutes between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. The anticipated timetable consists of:
Katra departure time: 08:10
Arrival time in Srinagar: 11:20
Return time at 12:45 from Srinagar
Returning to Katra at 15:55.
Launch Date: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to officially launch commercial services during the first week of February 2025.
Design Features: This train has special equipment to cope with Jammu and Kashmir’s harsh winters. It consists of:
sophisticated heating systems that keep water from freezing.
Warm air systems and bio-toilet tanks for vacuum operation.
Air-brake systems have been improved for seamless operation in below-freezing weather.
In order to defrost during severe winters, heating components are embedded in the windshield.
Fully air-conditioned coaches, automated plug doors, mobile charging stations, and other standard amenities featured in current Vande Bharat trains will be available on the Vande Bharat Express.
It is anticipated that the arrival of this train will greatly increase regional tourism and travel convenience. Through improved connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the national railway network, it represents a dedication to overcoming geographic divides and expanding economic prospects. The 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project’s completion serves as more evidence of this effort.
An important step toward finishing the 272-km USBRL project, which intends to link the Kashmir valley to the larger Indian railway network, has been taken with the commissioner of railway safety’s permission. Indian Railways has carried out six trial runs on different parts of the track over the past month, including significant landmarks like the famous arch bridge over the Anji Khad Bridge and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.
The Vande Bharat Express addresses the unique climate issues in Jammu and Kashmir while offering a top-notch travel experience. This train represents India’s efforts to close economic and geographic divides by improving the Kashmir valley’s access to the national railway network.
