Overview
- Indian Railways will launch the Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat on April 30 as a special inaugural run with the train flagged off from Jammu.
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the rake will grow to 20 coaches from 8, which sharply increases seats for the busy corridor.
- The train adds cold‑weather tech for the Valley, including self‑regulating heating cables for pipes, 1800W heating pads in water tanks, and a heated driver windshield to keep visibility clear in snow.
- It retains semi‑high‑speed performance up to 160 km/h and offers modern features like full AC, automatic doors, LED lighting, CCTV cameras, and regenerative braking.
- Officials say the link builds on the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link and should ease pilgrim trips to Vaishno Devi, cut highway disruptions in winter, and give tourism and trade a lift.