Special Vande Bharat trains for Jammu & Kashmir! The Indian Railways has incorporated specialised heating features in Vande Bharat trains that will run in Jammu & Kashmir, according to officials.
The Kashmir Valley’s first direct train service is scheduled to commence this fiscal year, with specially designed Vande Bharat trains operating in areas experiencing sub-zero temperatures.
Vande Bharat Express trains for J&K
“The existing design of chair car variant Vande Bharat rakes has been modified for the journey to Kashmir,” a senior official requesting anonymity told ET. “There will be specialised heating arrangement for plumbing and water tanks, embedded heating element for driver front look out glass and advanced safety features for Kashmir-bound Vande Bharat trains.”
The special Vande Bharat trains for J&K will feature an integrated heating element for the driver’s front window. “Driver cab front look-out glass has been specially developed with embedded heating elements. These elements will keep the glass defrosted in sub-zero temperatures,” the official explained, noting this as a first for Indian Railways.
Vande Bharat Express For Kashmir
The brake system’s air dryer mechanism has been equipped with heaters for optimal performance.
Officials revealed that the special Vande Bharat trains’ water tanks are fitted with silicone heating pads (1800 W per water tank) to prevent freezing. “Heating pads have been provided for bio retention tanks. There are also self-regulating heating cables for plumbing to avoid freezing of water,” the official stated.
The trains’ water distribution system includes heating cables and thermal insulation throughout.
Indian Railways maintains a standard temperature of 24 degrees Celsius in air-conditioned trains.
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link will establish railway connectivity between Kashmir and the mainland. Currently, rail travel extends only to Katra in Jammu. The Rs 37,012-crore project aims to eliminate the transport gap between Jammu and Srinagar.
Railway connectivity already exists between Baramulla, Srinagar, Qazigund, Banihal and Sangaldan. Chenab bridge, which is the world’s highest, is ready. Several small tunnels linking to the Chenab Rail Bridge are nearing completion, with the entire route expected to be operational shortly.