Indian Railways has successfully conducted the trial run of the first Vande Bharat train between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) railway station and Srinagar railway station. This marks a significant milestone in expanding the high-speed rail network into the Kashmir Valley, highlighting advancements in India’s rail infrastructure.
Route Highlights
- Anji Khad Bridge: India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge.
- Chenab Bridge: The world’s highest railway bridge, a marvel of engineering.
Design for Kashmir’s Climate
The train has been specially designed to operate in the cold climate conditions of the Kashmir Valley, ensuring optimal performance and passenger comfort in extreme weather.
Vande Bharat: A Make in India Success Story
- The first Vande Bharat Express was launched on February 15, 2019, on the New Delhi-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi route, with a top speed of 160 km/h.
- During the 2022-23 financial year, approximately 31.84 lakh passengers traveled on these trains, with an impressive occupancy rate of 96.62%.
- Equipped with cutting-edge amenities:
- Kavach Technology: Advanced safety system.
- Accessibility Features: Including toilets for Divyangjan and Braille signage.
Future Expansions and Exports
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the growing interest from several countries in importing Vande Bharat trains. He also shared anecdotes reflecting the train’s popularity among Indians abroad.
India is also diversifying the Vande Bharat line with the introduction of four new variants:
- Vande Bharat Chair Car
- Vande Bharat Sleeper
- Namo Bharat Train
- Amrit Bharat Train
The Vande Bharat Sleeper is in the final stages of testing, with production to begin soon at the Integral Coach Factory.
Impact on Indian Railways
The trial run of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat showcases India’s ability to overcome geographical and climatic challenges in railway development, offering passengers in the region a modern, high-quality travel experience. It underscores Indian Railways’ commitment to modernization and integration of cutting-edge technology into its operations.