Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat: A high-tech train with anti-freezing and shatterproof features
A new Vande Bharat Express train is set to connect Jammu and Srinagar, offering a world-class travel experience for residents of Jammu and Kashmir. The semi-high-speed train, which has arrived at Delhi’s Shakur Basti depot, will be the latest addition to the Indian Railways fleet.
Last week, Railway Minister Ashwini Vashnaw had shared a video of the Vande Bharat Express train for the upcoming Katra-Srinagar rail route, which will connectr Jammu to the Kashmir valley. The 49-second video, shared on Vaishnaw's X account, gave a glimpse of the features of the train, which is specially designed to operate seamlessly in Jammu and Kashmir's challenging winter conditions.
According to Railway officials, the train will have several additional features as compared to the other 136 Vande Bharat Express trains currently running in different parts of the country so that it can meet the operational challenges and passengers' amenities in extreme weather conditions of Jammu and Kashmir.
Currently, two Vande Bharat trains are operational in J&K. The new train, set to run between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) and Srinagar, will be the third in the region.
While the official launch date is not yet confirmed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the train.
The Vande Bharat Express for Jammu and Srinagar is designed with anti-freezing features to ensure smooth operation in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius. Manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, the train has advanced heating systems for passenger and driver comfort.
The driver’s cabin is equipped with a heated windshield to prevent fogging and freezing. Additionally, the train’s plumbing and bio-toilets are fitted with heating elements to prevent water from freezing in cold conditions.
Safety Features
As the new Vande Bharat Express prepares to operate in Kashmir, questions have arisen about the safety of its windows. Given the region’s security challenges, many have wondered if the windows are bulletproof.
A senior railway official addressed these concerns in an interview with ETNow, stating, “The train is not equipped with bulletproof windows but does feature shatterproof windows.” The official clarified that if stones are thrown at the train, the double-layered windows would prevent harm to passengers. While the glass may crack, passengers will remain safe.