Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: Northern Railway has officially announced the extension of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express up to Jammu Tawi, for the convenience of passengers within the Jammu Division.
This extension will be inaugurated on April 30, 2026, operating as an Inaugural Special Train (No. 02601), departing from Jammu Tawi (JAT) at 10:30 with boarding/de-boarding at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 11:54 – 11:59 and reaching Srinagar at 15:05 on the same day.
The date and timings for the regular operations of this train will be announced separately by the Railway authorities.
The train is modern Vande Bharat with rake comprising 20 coaches, instead of eight, significantly enhancing capacity.
This train not only retains its signature semi-high-speed capability but also incorporates-for the first time-‘winterization’ technology that enables it to operate smoothly even in sub-zero temperatures.
In view of the snowy weather conditions in J&K, several state-of-the-art heating systems have been integrated into this Vande Bharat Express. For the first time in Indian Railways, ‘self-regulating heating cables’ have been utilized to prevent water pipelines from freezing. 1800W silicon heating pads have been installed in the water tanks. Additionally, special heating arrangements have been made in the bio-tanks and auxiliary tanks to ensure that the sanitation system remains unaffected.
For the comfort of passengers, provisions have been made to channel warm air to the restrooms via special ducts connected to the main air conditioning unit. Heaters and thermal insulation have been installed in the Indian-style toilets to ensure the continued functioning of the vacuum evacuation system.
An ’embedded heating element’ has been installed within the main windshield located in front of the driver’s cabin. This technology will prevent the windshield from fogging up during periods of fog and snowfall. This marks a first-of-its-kind initiative within the Indian Railways network. Heaters have also been installed within the air dryer system to ensure the proper functioning of the air brake system.
To protect against potential damage caused by stones (ballast) from the tracks, the pneumatic valves located near the water tanks have been shielded with stainless steel covers.
Commenting on this modern Vande Bharat train, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Uchit Singhal stated: “This train will serve as a strong and reliable bridge connecting devotees travelling to Vaishno Devi with the Kashmir Valley, while simultaneously boosting tourism in the region.”
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