SRINAGAR, 5 September 2025 — As heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides disrupt road connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir, particularly along National Highway 44, the Vande Bharat Express has emerged as a vital lifeline for commuters traveling between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India. Launched on June 6, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this semi-high-speed train, operating on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), offers a reliable and weather-resilient alternative to road travel, which has been severely hampered by natural calamities.Recent heavy rains and landslides, especially in Ramban district, have caused significant road blockages, stranding travelers and disrupting essential transport. The Vande Bharat Express, connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar, covers the 150-kilometer distance in just three hours, compared to the six-to-seven-hour road journey often delayed by weather-induced obstructions like mudslides and shooting stones.
Equipped with advanced cold-weather technology, the train ensures uninterrupted service despite sub-zero temperatures, heavy snowfall, and adverse conditions. Features include silicon heating pads for water tanks and bio-toilets, heated pipelines, defrosting windshield elements, and anti-vibration seismic devices, making it a robust solution for the region’s challenging terrain and climate.Passengers have praised the train for its unmatched convenience and safety. Ashok Kumar Khajanchi, a tourist from Bikaner, shared, “Due to my health issues, road travel was tough, but Vande Bharat made the journey comfortable and quick, even with landslides blocking highways.” The train’s reliability has also boosted tourism and economic activity, enabling pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra and visitors to Vaishno Devi to travel seamlessly. Chief Area Manager Saqib Yousuf noted, “The train runs at full occupancy, with bookings filled for days, reflecting its critical role in connecting Kashmir.”
The USBRL, featuring the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River, ensures all-weather connectivity, overcoming geographical barriers that often isolate the Valley during monsoons and winters. With RPF CORAS commandos ensuring passenger safety, the Vande Bharat Express stands as a symbol of resilience, bridging the Kashmir Valley with the nation despite uneven weather conditions.Keywords: Vande Bharat Express, Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, landslides, heavy rainfall, USBRL, Chenab Bridge, all-weather connectivity, Srinagar-Katra, National Highway 44, tourism, disaster resilience, cold-weather technology, Indian Railways, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, passenger safety.
