Srinagar, January 23: In a visual testament to India's advancing rail infrastructure, the Vande Bharat Express successfully navigated the snow-covered tracks between Katra and Srinagar today, January 23. As the Kashmir Valley received its first major snowfall of the season, the semi-high-speed train continued its operations, slicing through a thick white blanket that had otherwise brought much of the region's air and road connectivity to a standstill.

Vande Bharat's Seamless Performance in Extreme Weather

While heavy snow accumulation led to the cancellation of over 20 flights at Srinagar Airport and the closure of the strategic Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), the Vande Bharat remained operational. Visuals from the Banihal section showed the orange-and-grey rake moving steadily through the "winter wonderland", highlighting the effectiveness of its specialised winter-ready modifications. ‘Deeply Anguished by the Mishap’: PM Narendra Modi Expresses Sadness Over Loss of 10 Army Personnel in Doda Road Accident in Jammu and Kashmir.

Northern Railway officials confirmed that dedicated teams are working "round-the-clock" to clear snow from the tracks using specialised equipment to ensure the safety and punctuality of the service.

Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Train Travels Through Snow-Covered Tracks

Specialised 'Winter-Ready' Engineering

The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat, which was commercially launched in June 2025, was specifically designed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) to handle the sub-zero temperatures of the Himalayas. Key features that have enabled its performance during this fresh spell of snowfall include:

Heated Windshields: Ensuring clear visibility for locopilots during active snow showers.

Advanced HVAC Systems: High-capacity heating, ventilation, and air conditioning to maintain passenger comfort even as outside temperatures drop significantly.

Anti-Freeze Equipment: Specialised braking and electrical systems modified to prevent freezing in extreme cold.

Vande Bharat Express Train - A Reliable Alternative to Road and Air

The recent weather disruptions have underscored the importance of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). With the Mughal Road and Sinthan Road also shut due to heavy accumulation, the rail link has emerged as the most reliable "all-weather" connection for the Valley. The journey, which traverses the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge - the world's highest - takes approximately three hours, significantly less than the six to eight hours usually required by road under clear conditions. Mega Boost to Connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, Vande Bharat Train Between Katra, Srinagar Begins Today; Slashes Travel Time to 3 Hours.

Current Weather Status

The Meteorological Department has predicted that the snowfall may continue through the weekend. While the Vande Bharat and other local train services between Banihal and Baramulla have remained largely unhindered, authorities have issued advisories for passengers to check for minor delays caused by ongoing track clearance operations.

TruLY Score by LatestLY
Rating:4

TruLY Score 4 – Reliable | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 4 on LatestLY. The information comes from reputable news agencies like (ANI). While not an official source, it meets professional journalism standards and can be confidently shared with your friends and family, though some updates may follow.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2026 06:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).