The Indian railways has deployed five AC sleeper trains and one Vande Bharat with chair car facilities for the Jammu and Kashmir route, ahead of their recent launches. These trains are designed to cope with harsh weather conditions, ensuring passengers’ safety. The trains are expected to carry out their operations from the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country shortly.
According to the sources, the preparations are being made to carry out the final inspection of the Katra-Reasi section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line on Thursday, January 5, 2024. This progress has been made considering the Commissioner of Railway Safety, to ensure passengers’ safe and smooth travel. The final inspection is likely to boost hope for commercial operation of trains to the valley from next month.
PM Modi to Inaugurate
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the Z Morh Tunnel in Kashmir along with the inauguration of a train. The Z Morh Tunnel is a significant infrastructural project in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a 6.5 km long road tunnel that connects Gagangir and Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh Highway. The project has been recently completed.
Meanwhile, the trial run of a cargo-loaded train has been successfully conducted on the Katra-Reasi section on Wednesday. The sources said that these trials are being made to access preparedness.
“We are hopeful of operations starting this month. With this, rail connectivity between Kashmir and Kanyakumari will be completed,” a source said.
The final call of the inauguration will be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recently, there have been speculations that operations may start from January 26. There is also a buzz around January 12, as the day is marked as Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary.
Special Provisions Implemented
There are some special provisions made at platforms where passengers will board trains to Kashmir. “There will be special security arrangements for a thorough check of goods, luggage, and passengers. This is something similar to boarding flights,” a source added.
Equipped with Special Features
Additionally, the trains to the Kashmir Valley are manufactured with special features to operate within the region’s harsh and cold climatic conditions. These features include heated sleeper coaches to ensure passengers’ comfort in the cold, enhanced security, snow-resistant design to prevent snow accumulation, wheels, etc. It would also include some scenic routes crossing the Chenab Bridge, which is the highest bridge in the world at 359 meters. Several successful trials and services are expected to occur in January 2025, before carrying out commercial operations.
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