The much-anticipated 8-coach Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is set to begin operations soon, reducing the travel time between the two cities to just 3 hours and 10 minutes.
The new train will cover the stretch from Katra to Srinagar, providing a modern, high-speed travel option for commuters, pilgrims, and tourists alike.
This has been made possible with the completion of the crucial Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) which has cost nearly Rs 40,000 crore since inception.
The Vande Bharat Express, known for its speed and advanced features, will significantly cut down the previous travel time, which often took over six hours, thanks to its faster and more efficient design.
The Vande Bharat Express running in Kashmir is different from the Vande Bharat Express running across the country, officials said. It is specially designed to operate smoothly in extreme cold conditions as low as minus 20 °C.
“To ensure comfort for passengers and drivers, the train is equipped with advanced heating systems. The driver’s cabin features a heated windshield to prevent it from fogging up or freezing, ensuring clear visibility in extreme temperatures,” they said.
The Railways have used anti-vibration seismic devices in the project as this region falls in seismic Zone-V and is vulnerable to earthquakes. These dampers will absorb the tremors in the Himalayan terrain and thus maintain faster and safer travel to the commuters, officials added.
The train service is expected to boost both tourism and economic activities in Kashmir by offering a quicker and more comfortable means of travel. With the train service set to start soon, anticipation is building as both locals and tourists eagerly await a smoother, faster journey between these two iconic cities.
The first direct train from Kashmir to Delhi will begin operating in January, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to inaugurate the project. The train is expected to cover a distance of 800 km in less than 13 hours.
