Overview

• The Vande Bharat Express conducted its first trial run in Jammu and Kashmir, traveling from Katra to Srinagar and Budgam stations.
• The train crossed the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, as well as the Anji Khad Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge.
• Designed specifically for the region's extreme winters, the train includes advanced heating systems, defrosting windshields, and optimized air-brake functionality for sub-zero temperatures.
• The trial run marks a significant milestone in the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which aims to connect the Kashmir Valley to India's broader rail network.
• Commercial operations are expected to begin soon, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi anticipated to flag off the inaugural journey, though the official date has not yet been announced.