Officials announced that the Indian Railways has introduced specialised features in Vande Bharat trains designed for the Kashmir region, including centralised heating systems. These trains, set to directly connect the Kashmir Valley for the first time, are expected to commence operations within this financial year. Designed to withstand sub-zero temperatures, these special variants will serve regions with extreme cold weather. A senior official, speaking anonymously, revealed that the chair car variant of the Vande Bharat rakes has been modified specifically for the Kashmir route. Key upgrades include specialised heating arrangements for plumbing and water tanks, embedded heating elements for the driver’s front look-out glass, and advanced safety features tailored for the harsh climate. Indian Railways aims to maintain a cabin temperature of 24 degrees Celsius in air-conditioned trains. The upcoming Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, costing Rs 370 billion, will connect Kashmir with the rest of India, bridging the connectivity gap between Jammu and Srinagar. Currently, rail travel extends only to Katra in Jammu. With this link, regions including Baramulla, Srinagar, Qazigund, Banihal, and Sangaldan will be part of the network, complemented by the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River. While the bridge is ready, some smaller connecting tunnels are nearing completion, with the entire route expected to be operational within weeks. Officials highlighted additional innovations, such as embedded heating elements in the driver’s front look-out glass to prevent frost build-up, a first for Indian Railways. Heating systems have also been integrated into the air dryer mechanism to ensure the proper functioning of brakes. To prevent water tanks from freezing, silicone heating pads (1800 W per tank) have been installed, along with self-regulating heating cables for plumbing. Furthermore, all water pipelines feature thermal insulation and heating cables to maintain functionality in sub-zero conditions.