Watch: Vande Bharat train crosses through world's highest railway bridge

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways conducted a trial run on Saturday for the first Vande Bharat train operating between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) railway station and Srinagar railway station.

The route passes through the iconic Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge and the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge.

The train has been specially designed to withstand the cold climate of the Kashmir valley.
On January 23, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that several countries had expressed interest in importing India’s semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains.

“Many countries have shown interest in Vande Bharat,” he told ANI, adding that Indian-origin participants had shared how their children in India were eager to experience the train.

Launched on February 15, 2019, the Vande Bharat Express is India’s first indigenous semi-high-speed train and a key 'Make in India' initiative.
Its maiden journey covered the New Delhi-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi route at a speed of 160 km/h.
During the financial year 2022-23, approximately 31.84 lakh passengers traveled on Vande Bharat trains, achieving an overall occupancy rate of 96.62%.
These trains feature modern amenities and advanced safety systems, including Kavach technology, accessible toilets for Divyangjan, and integrated Braille signage.
Indian Railways is also expanding its fleet with four new types of trains—Vande Bharat Chair Car, Vande Bharat Sleeper, Namo Bharat Train, and Amrit Bharat Train—promising enhanced services for passengers.
Testing for the Vande Bharat Sleeper train is nearly complete, with data under review before production begins at the Integral Coach Factory, Vaishnaw said.