New Delhi: The Indian Railways successfully conducted the first trial run of a specially designed Vande Bharat Express train in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. This marked a milestone for rail connectivity in the region. The train travelled from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) railway station to Srinagar railway station, passing through the iconic Chenab bridge, the highest railway bridge in the world. It also travelled the Anji Khad bridge, which holds the distinction of being India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge.
During the trial run, the train made a brief halt at Jammu around 11:30 am, where it received a warm welcome with enthusiastic slogans and applause for the Indian Railways. From there, it proceeded to Budgam station to complete its journey. Commercial services for the train are expected to commence soon, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to inaugurate its first official run from Katra. However, the date for the flag-off ceremony is yet to be announced.
A historic moment and a dream come true! Trial run of Vande Bharat Express train from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station, Katra, to Budgam has been successfully completed. Congratulations to Indian Railways officials and the team working on the ground. pic.twitter.com/pIy2OyzKMB
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) January 25, 2025
Vande Bharat upgrades
Designed to operate efficiently in the harsh winter conditions of Jammu and Kashmir, this Vande Bharat Express comes equipped with climate-specific features. These include advanced heating systems to prevent freezing of water and bio-toilet tanks, a warm air vacuum system and mechanisms to ensure the smooth operation of air brakes even in sub-zero temperatures. That apart, the train features heated windshields with embedded elements to prevent frost buildup and maintain clear visibility for the driver during extreme weather conditions.
Boost to Kashmir connectivity
Apart from these unique upgrades, the train retains the amenities of other Vande Bharat Express trains, such as fully air-conditioned coaches, automatic plug doors and mobile charging points. Officials said that the train represents India’s dedication to enhancing connectivity and bridging economic and geographical divides. The trial run also marks a huge milestone in the completion of the 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which aims to integrate the Kashmir valley with the rest of the Indian Railway network.
