Wed Jan 08 04:27:22 UTC 2025: ## New Vande Bharat Express Train Unveiled for Jammu & Kashmir’s Harsh Winters
**New Delhi, January 8, 2025** – The Railway Board today unveiled a specially modified Vande Bharat Express train designed to operate in the challenging winter conditions of Jammu and Kashmir. This new train will service the upcoming Katra-Srinagar rail route, currently undergoing safety inspections.
The train, stationed at the Shakurbasti coaching depot in New Delhi, boasts several features not found in the existing 136 Vande Bharat trains. These include advanced heating systems to prevent freezing of water and bio-toilet tanks, and maintain optimal functionality of the air-brake system in sub-zero temperatures. The windshield incorporates embedded heating elements for automatic defrosting, ensuring clear driver visibility even in severe winter conditions.
According to Dileep Kumar, Executive Director (Information & Publicity) of the Railway Board, the train incorporates these upgrades to overcome operational challenges and enhance passenger comfort in the extreme weather of J&K. Beyond the climate-control features, the train retains all the amenities of standard Vande Bharat trains, such as fully air-conditioned coaches, automatic plug doors, and mobile charging sockets.
The Railways issued a press statement highlighting the train’s significance in strengthening connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the national rail network, bridging geographical and economic divides.
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