The orange-and-grey Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express was seen gliding smoothly across snow-covered tracks as fresh snowfall blanketed large parts of the Kashmir Valley, turning the region into a winter wonderland.

Snowfall was reported across Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Shopian, Pulwama, Bandipora, Anantnag and Kulgam, while Srinagar city witnessed its first snow of the season on Friday. The harsh weather led to the closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway and disrupted flight operations at Srinagar airport.

Despite the challenging conditions, railway services in the Valley remained largely unaffected. Northern Railway said teams were deployed round the clock to clear tracks and ensure smooth train movement.

Flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 2025, the Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express crosses the iconic Chenab and Anji bridges and completes the journey in around three hours — cutting travel time by nearly two to three hours.