Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate five new train services connecting Delhi to the Kashmir Valley in January.
The new trains will be equipped with heating systems to address the cold weather in the region
The inauguration is set to take place virtually on January 6 from New Delhi.
Railway officials confirmed that the new services will include advanced technology to ensure smooth operations in difficult weather conditions, such as extreme cold and snowfall.
Details regarding the schedule, stops, and ticket bookings are expected to be announced soon by the Railway Ministry.
The services are part of the ongoing Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBL) project, which aims to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country.
This semi-high-speed train will be the first direct rail service between the national capital and Kashmir, covering over 800 kilometers in under 13 hours.
Departing from New Delhi at 7:00 PM, it will reach Srinagar by 8:00 AM the next day, with key stops at Jammu Tawi, Katra, and Banihal.
Ticket prices are expected to start at ₹2,000 for AC 3-tier, ₹2,500 for AC 2-tier, and ₹3,000 for First AC.
The train will feature a mix of 11 AC 3-tier coaches, 4 AC 2-tier coaches, and 1 First AC coach, ensuring a comfortable journey for passengers across various budgets.