The gentle autumn sun bathes the newly-introduced 40-seater vistadome coaches, now gracing the trains in the enchanting Kashmir Valley. These carriages, with their transparent glass roofs, offer a preview of the sky, soon to be adorned with dancing snowflakes as winter approaches, creating an even more captivating journey. Who needs to travel abroad to set the stage for romance when you can find it right here in India?
What sets these coaches apart are their uniquely designed exteriors. In summer, they don a serene blue hue adorned with depictions of Kashmiri women in traditional winter attire, portraying the roaf dance popular during weddings in the region. These coaches mark the beginning of a new chapter in Kashmir’s tourism, providing tourists with a visual immersion in rural Kashmir, its bountiful orchards, and picturesque fields. They have been integrated into the Srinagar-Banihal route, equipped with advanced GPS-based information systems. Banihal serves as the gateway to Kashmir, connecting the Valley through the Jawahar Tunnel. The train journey meanders through the remarkable 11.2-kilometer BanihalQazigund Railway Tunnel, slicing through the heart of the Himalayas. The very stretch that was once a cart road, built by the Dogra kings in the 1920s, is now being transformed into a railway track.
As the journey unfolds, taking approximately two hours, the panoramic view through the full glass windows unveils the renowned saffron dunes of Pampore in Pulwama. On clear days, the snow-capped Pir Panjal Range, part of the Lesser Himalayas, graces the horizon. Orchards transition into sprawling rice fields as the train crosses the Sangam bridge en route to Anantnag.
Read about the High Court decision to Uplift the Ban on Pakistani Artist working in India.
When the sun’s rays intensify’s , an electronically-controlled opalescent shade adorns the roof, ensuring comfort. A stopover in Pulwama and Qazigund brings travelers closer to two prominent shrines—Syed Fareed-ud-Din and Mir Syed Mohammed Hussain Simnani. Saint Simnani, hailing from Iran’s Sinman region, arrived in Kashmir during the 14th century alongside Saint Mir Syed Ali Hamadani to spread the teachings of Islam.
The journey also takes passengers past stacks of willow blocks, gently basking in the autumn sun as they season, destined to be transformed into the finest cricket bats. For Jammu and Kashmir, a region that welcomed 1.88 crore tourists this year, this train ride will join the list of unforgettable experiences for visitors, alongside the iconic shikara rides on Srinagar’s Dal Lake.
Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, eagerly awaits the first snowfall in the plains this year. He yearns to experience the beauty of Kashmir on this train, while also curious to see if the coach can maintain warmth during the winter. He hopes that this experience remains affordable for ordinary people, especially when the traditional road to Kashmir is blocked due to harsh weather conditions. Saqib Yousuf Yatoo, the chief area manager of Indian Railways, confirms that the fare for this journey will be ₹930.
Designed and developed by the Indian Railways’ Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, these coaches offer unparalleled comfort to passengers. With a spacious viewing area, including a glass roof, the seats can swivel 180 degrees, allowing families and friends to face each other during the ride. Automatic doors maintain a cozy interior temperature, even as the mercury drops to sub-zero levels outside. An entertainment system with screens and speakers keeps passengers engaged, and a prominent LED destination board aids in easy disembarkation.
There are plans to extend the coach service to North Kashmir from Srinagar, marking an exciting expansion. This coach’s introduction is part of the Indian Railways’ broader initiative to expand its network in Kashmir, a significant development since 1947. Surveying has been conducted for a rail network in Kupwara, close to the Line of Control, and Vande Bharat trains connecting Jammu with Srinagar are set to commence operations in 2024.
From a mere 96 km of rail length in 2003, primarily in the plains of Jammu, the rail network expanded to 298 km in the state by 2021. The ambitious rail link connecting Jammu’s Katra with Banihal, near the Valley, will span 111 km and feature 27 tunnels and 37 bridges, integrating the Kashmir Valley into the mainland railway network. The train’s journey will extend to destinations as remote as Baramulla and Kupwara in North Kashmir, broadening horizons for adventurous travelers.
