NEW DELHI: On April 19, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the much-anticipated Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat train service from Katra, marking a significant milestone in the region's connectivity. This event comes as the completion of the 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, a project that has faced numerous delays since its inception in 1997 due to the challenging terrain.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced the details during a press briefing, stating, "On April 19, the Prime Minister will arrive in Udhampur. Afterwards, he will visit the world's highest rail bridge, which has been constructed, to inspect it and inaugurate it. Then, he will reach Katra and inaugurate the Vande Bharat train." The service will initially commence from Katra due to ongoing renovations at the Jammu railway station, with plans to shift operations to Jammu once the renovations are completed around August 2025.
The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat train service is designed with specific anti-freezing capabilities to ensure year-round operations despite harsh winter conditions. A snow clearance train will operate ahead of passenger and freight services to maintain accessibility throughout the year. According to a Ministry of Railways statement, this train is uniquely equipped to handle extreme cold, functioning smoothly in temperatures as low as -20°C.
Singh elaborated on the train's advanced features, emphasizing its comfort and safety. "The Vande Bharat Express running in Kashmir is different from the Vande Bharat Express running across the country. It is specially designed to operate smoothly in extreme cold conditions, i.e., as low as -20°C. To ensure comfort for passengers and drivers, the train is equipped with advanced heating systems," he noted.
Among the innovative features are a heated windscreen in the driver's compartment to prevent condensation and freezing, as well as heating components in the plumbing and bio-toilets to avoid water freezing during severe weather. This attention to detail is crucial for maintaining functionality in one of India’s most vulnerable seismic zones.
The rail project has been a long time coming, with significant engineering challenges along the route. It includes 38 tunnels and 927 bridges, with the crowning achievement being the 1,315-meter-long Chenab Bridge, which stands taller than the Eiffel Tower. This infrastructure not only symbolizes progress but is also expected to significantly reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar, thus enhancing connectivity for the region.
Officials have stated that the new train service will play a vital role in promoting tourism and economic development in Jammu and Kashmir. By providing a reliable and efficient mode of transportation, it is expected to attract more visitors to the scenic beauty of the region, which has long been hampered by infrastructural limitations.
As the Prime Minister prepares for this landmark event, the excitement among local residents and stakeholders is palpable. The Vande Bharat service is seen as a game-changer for the region, promising to bring about a transformation in how people travel and connect within Jammu and Kashmir.
In summary, the inauguration of the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat train service on April 19 represents not just the completion of a crucial rail link but also a hopeful step towards better connectivity and development for the region. With the Prime Minister’s visit to the world’s highest railway bridge and the launch of this state-of-the-art train, the future looks promising for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
