Srinagar, Jan 25: The Vande Bharat Express successfully conducted its maiden trial run between Katra and Budgam on Saturday, marking a historic milestone in enhancing connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of India’s railway network.
The high-speed train, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed to withstand the region’s harsh winters, promises to revolutionize travel, shorten journey times, and foster economic growth in Kashmir.
Chief Area Manager (CAM) Kashmir, Saqib Yousuf Yatoo (IRTS), told Rising Kashmir that the Vande Bharat Express completed its trial run between Katra and Budgam stations on Saturday.
“It was a successful trial, and we expect regular services to begin soon, connecting Kashmir with other parts of India,” he said.
Saqib emphasized that the project is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ vision. The Vande Bharat Express, an indigenous train, is equipped with modern features tailored to the region’s unique climatic conditions.
“This is the first time the train has arrived in Kashmir, and passengers will experience a comfortable journey without any issues,” he added.
Regarding the official inauguration, Saqib mentioned, “We are currently conducting trials, and the results will be analyzed before a final decision is made.”
The train arrived at Srinagar Railway Station in Nowgam at 11:30 a.m., where it was greeted with applause, slogans, and garlands by a large crowd of railway officials and locals. After a brief stop, it continued to Budgam station to conclude its trial run.
Train Manager Raj Kumar also hailed the trial run as a success and a historic day for Jammu and Kashmir. “Now, the people of Kashmir can easily connect to any part of India through the railway network,” he said.
Kumar highlighted that the Vande Bharat rake has been specially designed for Kashmir’s severe winters, featuring heating pads to prevent freezing and windshields equipped with anti-frost technology.
The train departed from Delhi on January 24 and arrived in Jammu by afternoon, where it halted overnight. The trial run began from Katra Railway Station at 8 a.m. and reached Srinagar Railway Station by 11 a.m., covering over 150 kilometers in just three hours. The usual six-to-eight-hour journey from Jammu to Srinagar, due to mountainous terrain and sharp bends, was drastically reduced, thanks to the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).
This 272-kilometer railway project connects Kashmir to the national railway network, offering a faster and more efficient mode of travel.
The official inauguration of the train service is expected next month, likely by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following the Delhi Assembly elections.
Locals expressed their excitement and optimism about the Vande Bharat Express. Many saw it as a transformative step for better connectivity and economic growth in the region.
Fayaz Ahmad, a resident of Anantnag, said, “This special train will make travel much easier and bring more tourists to the Valley, benefiting our economy.”
“With improved connectivity, trucks carrying fruits can reach markets across India faster, ensuring freshness and better prices,” he added.
Mohammad Aquib, a student from Baramulla studying outside J&K, said, “The Vande Bharat Express will save us a lot of time. Earlier, traveling out of the Valley was exhausting, but now we can travel directly without much hassle. It’s a huge relief for students like me.”
The USBRL, constructed at an estimated cost of ₹41,000 crore, traverses some of the world’s most challenging terrains, including the iconic Chenab Bridge—a steel structure soaring 1,178 feet above the river, surpassing the height of the Eiffel Tower. The route also includes over 100 kilometers of tunnels carved through the mountains.
The train originally departed from Shakoor Basti Railway Station in New Delhi on January 24, reaching Jammu Tawi Railway Station at 3:20 p.m. It resumed its journey the following morning from Katra, navigating through mountainous terrain to Srinagar.
According to Northern Railways, while other Vande Bharat trains operate at speeds of up to 160 km/h, this train is currently restricted to 85 km/h due to safety considerations. Speeds are expected to increase gradually as the track stabilizes with regular operations.
To meet the demands of Jammu and Kashmir’s sub-zero temperatures, the Vande Bharat train is equipped with advanced heating systems for bio-toilet tanks, warm air for the vacuum system, and optimized air-brake functionality. Embedded heating elements in the windshields prevent frost accumulation, ensuring clear visibility for operators.
In addition to these enhancements, the train features standard Vande Bharat amenities, including fully air-conditioned coaches, automatic plug doors, and mobile charging sockets.
Over the past month, multiple trial runs have been conducted on critical sections, including the Anji Khad cable-stayed bridge and the iconic Chenab Arch Bridge at Kauri.
The Anji Khad Bridge, a single-pylon cable-stayed structure rising 331 meters above the riverbed, is a testament to engineering excellence. Spanning 473.25 meters, it is one of the highest railway bridges in the world, alongside the Chenab Arch Bridge, which holds the record as the tallest at 359 meters—35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower.
