Jammu-Kashmir Train: Bridging Regions, Tackling Sub-Zero Temperatures
The much-anticipated Jammu-Kashmir Vande Bharat Express, the first-ever train to connect Jammu with Kashmir, is set to revolutionize travel in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate this crucial link towards the end of the month, as per railway officials. The train, currently maintained by Northern Railway in Shakur Basti, Delhi, has been specially designed to withstand sub-zero temperatures, ensuring passenger comfort and operational reliability.
Equipped with advanced heating systems, the train will prevent freezing of water tanks and bio-toilet tanks using self-regulating heating cables and overheat protection sensors. Himanshu Shekhar, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railways, emphasized that the journey time from Jammu to Srinagar will be significantly reduced from eight to nine hours by road to just three hours and ten minutes.
Additional features like a heated driver’s windshield for defrosting and anti-spill layers enhance safety and functionality in extreme weather. According to another Northern Railways official, these innovations are critical for seamless operations in the snowy and mountainous terrain.
The train service forms a vital part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, a landmark initiative aimed at improving connectivity in the region. The route includes the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest rail bridge at 359 meters above the Chenab River, inaugurated in August 2022.
Until now, train operations within the Kashmir Valley were limited to diesel multiple units. The new Vande Bharat Express will use ballast-less tracks, a cutting-edge technology that enhances stability and passenger comfort. Subodh Jain, a former railway official, noted the importance of such advanced features for operations in the challenging snowy weather of the valley.
Built by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, the train sets were transported to Delhi in late December and are scheduled to move to Jammu division next week, marking a significant milestone in improving rail connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir.
