PM Modi to Launch 1st Vande Bharat Express to Kashmir on April 19: Union Minister Jitendra Singh
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Synopsis
Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that PM Modi will inaugurate the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat train service on April 19 from Katra, completing the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link project, enhancing rail connectivity to Kashmir.
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi inaugurates Jammu-Srinagar train on April 19.
- Train service significantly reduces travel time.
- Features advanced heating systems for cold weather.
- Project includes the world's highest railway bridge.
- All-weather train service with snow removal capability.
Jammu, March 31 (NationPress) Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat train service on April 19 from Katra, signifying the successful completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link project.
During a press interaction in Jammu on Sunday, Minister Singh stated, "Prime Minister Modi will arrive in Udhampur on April 19. He will visit the world's highest railway bridge and officiate its inauguration. Subsequently, he will flag off the Vande Bharat train from Katra."
The Jammu-Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will begin its services from Katra, as the Jammu railway station is currently under renovation.
Officials confirmed that the rail link project was finalized last month.
Successful trial runs of the train along the Katra-Baramulla route have been conducted. The Commissioner of Railway Safety granted approval for the train service connecting Katra and Kashmir in January.
Officials indicated that the Vande Bharat Express is anticipated to significantly reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar, providing a modern and efficient rail service for the region.
The introduction of this train will fulfill the long-standing demand for direct rail connectivity to Kashmir.
Currently, train services are restricted to the Sangaldan-Baramulla route within the Valley and from Katra to various destinations nationwide.
Officials noted that the ambitious endeavor to link Kashmir by rail initiated in 1997 encountered various delays due to challenging geological, topographical, and meteorological conditions.
The project consists of 38 tunnels covering a total of 119 km, including the 12.75 km-long Tunnel T-49, which is the longest transportation tunnel in India.
Moreover, it features 927 bridges extending over 13 km, with the prominent Chenab Bridge being a highlight. This bridge, measuring 1,315 meters in length with a 467-meter arch span, towers 359 meters above the riverbed—making it 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower and the highest arch railway bridge globally.
A statement from the Ministry of Railways mentioned that the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat train is uniquely designed with anti-freezing features. A snow removal train will operate ahead of passenger and freight trains to ensure that services on this strategic route run continuously throughout the year, day and night.
This will guarantee all-weather connectivity between the two regions.
For a comfortable and secure travel experience, the Railways has integrated Anti-Vibration seismic devices in the project, as this area falls within Zone-V of earthquake vulnerability.
These dampers will absorb tremors in the Himalayan terrain, thereby ensuring faster and safer travel for commuters.
"The Vande Bharat Express operating in Kashmir differs from those running across the country. It is specifically engineered to function smoothly in extreme cold conditions, as low as -20°C. To ensure passenger and driver comfort, the train comes equipped with advanced heating systems," according to the statement.
The driver's cabin includes a heated windshield to avoid fogging or freezing, ensuring clear visibility in extreme temperatures.
The train is also fitted with heating elements in the plumbing and bio-toilets to prevent water from freezing, ensuring that essential systems remain operational during cold weather.
