USBRL Project: New Vande Bharat Express With Heated Coaches, Special Windshield And Other Features Designed For Kashmir Operations

The Indian Railways has developed a new version of the Vande Bharat Express specifically designed to operate in cold and mountainous areas, including the Kashmir Valley.

This move coincides with the upcoming opening of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), which will connect the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India.

Highlighting the advanced features of the train, Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity, Railway Board, stated, "Safety features have been developed in the train so that the operations are not affected during snowfall in the Kashmir valley. The loco-pilot cabin and the screen have all been specially designed... Heaters have been installed to keep coaches warm and the system has been set up so that water does not freeze...," news agency ANI reported.

While the launch date of the train service has not been finalised, Kumar confirmed that the railway line and the iconic Chenab Bridge are ready for operations.

AK Chandra, Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer, Northern Railways, elaborated on the train’s cold-weather adaptations, stating, "This train has been specifically designed for operations in cold conditions in the Kashmir Valley. It is like other Vandhe Bharat trains with some additional features that enable it to operate in those conditions".

"It has heating capability for the water tanks and pipelines... Two heating elements of 900kW each have been provided in each water tank. There is a silicone heating pad covering the water tank to maintain the temperature... The coaches will remain heated with a heating element of 900kW each... The windshield has been specifically designed for operations in cold areas. Ice will not be able to stay on it for long...," Chandra added, ANI reported.

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