SRINAGAR, Jan 25: Railway officials reported the successful completion of the trial run for the first Vande Bharat Express train from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station in Katra to Budgam.
Officials stated that the one-way trial run was carried out today. “The train arrived in the Jammu Division on Friday and reached Srinagar today.”
Vande Bharat Express ICF rakes 49 and 80 are slated for commercial operations within the USBRL section. “These Vande Bharat Express trains are meticulously designed for the cold conditions experienced during winter, incorporating advanced technologies to guarantee comfort, safety, and reliability,” officials explained.
The train traversed the famous Anji Khad Bridge, which is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, noted as the world’s highest railway bridge.
Engineered to endure the frigid climate of the Kashmir Valley, this marks the third introduction of the Vande Bharat train for Jammu & Kashmir, yet the first to benefit the Kashmir Valley. The Northern Railway zone will manage its operations and maintenance.
The train boasts sophisticated heating systems to prevent water freezing and includes bio-toilet tanks. It is equipped with a distinct air-brake system and warm air circulation to ensure efficient operations at sub-zero temperatures.
Additional upgrades comprise embedded heating elements in the windshield to eliminate frost during peak winter, with triple-layered windscreens fitted with heating filaments that assure clear visibility for the driver, even in snowfall. These modifications enable the train to function effectively in temperatures as low as -30°C.
The Railways has finalized the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which spans 272 kilometers. (KNO)
