Vande Bharat trains are serving on 136 routes but the one to be inaugurated this week will not just be different, but also special. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Vande Bharat chair car for Kashmir on Saturday, which will cover the distance between Katra and Srinagar in just three hours.
Speaking to News18, a Railways ministry official said the journey between Katra and Srinagar takes about six to seven hours by road, while a flight between the destinations takes less than one hour.
“Katra is well connected with almost all parts of the country. There are direct trains from various cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kanyakumari. The new Vande Bharat between Katra and Srinagar will offer journeys with more comfort. Those planning to go to Kashmir can first reach Katra and take the new Vande Bharat for the journey ahead,” the official said.
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The completion of the Udhampur Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL) has allowed train movement between Jammu and Kashmir. So far, trains are operational between Srinagar and Sangaldan railway stations. Now, with the completion of the section between Sangaldan and Katra, the trains will operate between these areas. The prime minister will also inaugurate this section on Saturday. Trials have been underway for the past several weeks on the section.
The USBRL project was planned and announced in 1994-95 but while the part in the Kashmir Valley—Qazigund to Baramulla—became operational by 2009, the connectivity to the railway network beyond the Valley remained a dream.
Now, with the completion of the Anji Khand bridge and the Chenab Bridge, the Valley is connected to the remaining part of the country through trains.
Railways is planning additional security deployment and extra passenger scanning at the Katra station compared to other stations. The official said talks are on for proper security checks and thorough frisking of passengers for trains going to Kashmir, considering the sensitivity of the area.
Specially Designed Vande Bharat
In January, News18 reported about the unique features of the train—ranging from heating elements in windshields, silicon heating pads in water and bio-toilet tanks, heated plumbing pipelines, and heaters in Indian toilets.
These upgrades in the Vande Bharat will allow these chair car trains to operate throughout the year, even in the harsh Kashmir winters. The eight-coach train has two classes—one Executive Class coach and seven AC Chair Car coaches.
The special revamps were done on the Vande Bharat train due to special weather conditions in the region, with temperature going below zero.
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“Changes have been made in the Vande Bharat train as Srinagar and the other part of the Valley witness temperatures in minus. This special train will allow train connectivity to the region even in the harshest weather,” they said.
While the official announcements are awaited, initially, the trains will operate once daily and the frequency could be increased depending upon the needs and demands. The route can also be extended, as per the demand, the official said.
The cost of the train ticket is expected to range between Rs 1,000- Rs 1,500 for the chair car and around Rs 2,000-Rs 2,500 for executive class.
The trains will stop at Reasi, Sangaldan, Banihal and Anantnag and will operate only during the day. “There will be no late-evening services, keeping in mind the sensitivity in the area,” the official added.
