Vande Bharat Express cuts through snow in Kashmir during fresh snowfall | Watch

Vande Bharat Express

• Vande Bharat Express runs smoothly on snow-covered tracks near Banihal, Kashmir
• Train uses anti-freezing tech and heating systems for extreme cold operations
• Anti-vibration seismic devices installed for safety in earthquake-prone Zone V

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Indian Railways' Vande Bharat Express running between Katra and Srinagar was seen smoothly navigating snow-covered railway tracks near Banihal on Friday amid a fresh spell of snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, in visuals shared by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The video, now widely circulating online, shows the orange-and-grey Vande Bharat train emerging from the distance with its headlights on, moving steadily along tracks buried under thick layers of snow. The visuals highlight the train’s ability to operate reliably in harsh winter conditions in the Kashmir Valley.

The all-weather Vande Bharat Kashmir pic.twitter.com/foiPIFUAei

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) January 23, 2026

The Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025. The route passes through major engineering landmarks such as the Chenab and Anji rail bridges and completes the journey in around three hours, cutting travel time by nearly two to three hours.

At present, two Vande Bharat trains operate on this route—26402/26401 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Srinagar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and 26404/26403 Srinagar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express. Both services began commercial operations on June 7, 2025.

The Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat has been specially designed with anti-freezing features to ensure uninterrupted, year-round operations. A snow-removal train operates ahead of passenger and freight services, helping keep the strategic rail corridor open during heavy snowfall and ensuring all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian Railways has also installed anti-vibration seismic devices along the route, as the region falls under Zone V, one of the country’s most earthquake-prone zones. These devices absorb tremors in the Himalayan terrain, enhancing passenger safety and enabling smoother, faster travel.

Unlike other Vande Bharat trains across India, the Kashmir variant is engineered to function in extreme cold, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. The train is equipped with advanced heating systems, including a heated windshield in the driver’s cabin to prevent fogging and freezing, as well as heating elements in plumbing and bio-toilets to keep essential systems running during winter.