World's slowest train: THIS train covers 291 kilometers in..., passes through 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, name of the train is..., top speed...
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off a Vande Bharat train service between Katra and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. This is the first train that will connect the Kashmir valley and the Jammu region. According to Northern Railway, the train has two travelling classes — Chair Car (CC) and Executive Class (EC) — with tickets costing Rs 715 and Rs 1,320, respectively. PM Modi inaugurated the train in the presence of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, among others.
The commercial operations of Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar commenced on Saturday. Passengers who boarded the trains from Katra to Baramulla, or vice versa, expressed immense enthusiasm, with many stating they had eagerly awaited the opportunity to travel to Kashmir by train.
The first day of commercial operations went smoothly, as the trains reached their destinations by the evening, officials said. They added that public excitement was high, with most of the seats booked within hours of the train's inauguration.
Apart from the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat train, there is another train journey in the world which covers a distance of 291 km in 8 hours. During this journey, the train runs continuously without any stops. The name of the train is Glacier Express.
The train passes through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, such as the Rhône Glacier, the high and treacherous Oberalp Pass, the winding Landwasser Viaduct, and the Rhine Gorge, which is also known as the 'Grand Canyon of Switzerland.' Here are some of the key features of Glacier Express: The train on this route passes over towering mountains.
As it moves through snow and peaceful mountain villages, the train gives the feeling of being in heaven.
Known as the Glacier Express, it is often referred to as 'the slowest express train in the world.'
Traversing through rugged mountains, the train runs at a speed of 24 miles per hour.
Due to its slow pace, passengers get ample time to enjoy the diverse landscapes and varying altitudes.
The Glacier Express crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels while covering a distance of 291 kilometers.
This thrilling train journey is divided into four segments.
Running from Zermatt to St. Moritz in Switzerland, the train passes through the stunning Alps mountains.
The two most remarkable and memorable parts of this spectacular journey are the famous Landwasser Viaduct and the Oberalp Pass. The Oberalp Pass is the highest point on this route, located at an altitude of 2,033 meters above sea level.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Tourist activities launched at Shipki-La mountain pass in Himachal's tribal Kinnaur district bordering China, says CM Sukhu
In a bid to promote tourism in the hill State, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday (June 10, 2025) launched border tourism activities at Shipki-La, a motorable mountain pass situated at an altitude of 3,930 meters, bordering India and China in tribal district of Kinnaur. 'We have eased restrictions for the tourists to enjoy the beauty of Shipki-La and the tourism activities here would strengthen the economy of the local people along with boosting tourism in the region. The State government had requested the Ministry of Defence to grant permission for starting tourism activities in the border areas of Lepcha, Shipki-La, Giu and Rani Kanda. After the approval for the same, the border tourism initiative has been launched,' he said, addressing a public gathering. The Chief Minister said that the State government would take up the issue of starting 'Kailash Mansarovar Yatra' from Shipki-La with the Central government. 'I will meet the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and present this matter before him. Shipki-La will be the easiest route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra,' he said. 'We have also urged the Center to establish Himachal Scout Battalion, which would have a special quota for the local people of the border areas of the State. The matter of setting up an airport to promote tourism in the border areas would also be pursued before the Union government. The State government will urge the Centre to abolish the inner line check post of the military and paramilitary forces, which currently creates permit related obstacles for tourists,' he added. 'Increasing connectivity' The Chief Minister said that border roads were not only of strategic importance, but their purpose was to provide benefits to the people by increasing connectivity in remote border regions. 'I recently discussed about the action plan to promote tourism in the border areas with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). There has also been a discussion on using various helipads of the ITBP to promote tourism in remote areas. Discussions have also been held about providing medical facilities to the people through the health institutions of the ITBP,' he said.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
Railway passenger traffic rises 6% in FY25, crosses 7 billion mark
Passenger volume on the Indian Railways increased by 6 per cent in 2024-25 (FY25), riding on a 5 per cent rise in the reserved ticket category and 6.2 per cent growth in unreserved passenger volume. The Railways has been seeing a resurgence in passenger travel since its halt due to the Covid lockdown. For the first time in five years, the total passenger count crossed 7 billion. However, it is still below pre-Covid volumes. Historical data (since 2011) show that the Railways was carrying over 8 billion passengers for a decade before the lockdown, with peak volume in FY13 (8.49 billion passengers). Passengers travelling in sleeper class have also seen a reduction over the past two years. With the introduction of premium trains such as the Vande Bharat, railway revenue from chair car services has risen nearly four times in four years to ₹₹4,400 crore. According to officials, long-distance sleeper Vande Bharats, once introduced, will spur even higher revenue generation in the long-distance segments.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Farooq Abdullah visits Vaishno Devi after Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat ride: ‘Mata ne bulaya hai'
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah took his first ride on the newly inaugurated Vande Bharat Express from Srinagar to Katra on Tuesday and said he was 'overwhelmed' to see Kashmir finally connected to India's rail network. Donning a sun-visor hat, Farooq Abdullah boarded the train from Nowgam Railway Station in Srinagar. He was greeted at the Katra terminal — the base camp for Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims — by deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary and Jammu NC president Rattan Lal Gupta. "Mata ne bulaya hai. Aaya hai bulawa shera wali ka" said National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah as he reached Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station on the Vande Bharat train from Nowgam Railway Station. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah said he was teary eyed seeing the development and expressed hope that the new rail link would facilitate a greater influx of Amarnath pilgrims to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine, with this year's yatra set to begin on July 3. 'This is the biggest benefit for us,' Abdullah said, calling the development a major milestone for trade, tourism, and the emotional bond between regions. 'My heart is overwhelmed and my eyes filled with tears on seeing Kashmir finally getting connected with the country's rail network. I congratulate the engineers and the workers for making it happen,' Abdullah told reporters. On June 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat trains — one from Srinagar to Katra and the other in the reverse direction — completing the ambitious 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link, which connects the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India. Calling it 'the biggest victory for the people,' he said the train would make travel easier, promote business, and strengthen 'love and friendship' between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country. 'We hope that the yatris from across the country will use the facility to turn up in large numbers for darshan at Amarnath cave shrine during the upcoming pilgrimage,' he said. Among Abdullah's companions on the Vande Bharat journey were his grandsons, Zamir and Zahir; J&K minister Satish Sharma; chief minister's advisor Nasir Aslam Wani; and NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq. 'Took our first train ride from Srinagar to Katra — truly impressed! The journey crosses the iconic Anji bridge and weaves through stunning tunnels. A remarkable experience,' Sadiq posted on X, sharing photos of the trip. Farooq Abdullah said the train's potential to transform logistics in Kashmir, particularly for the horticulture sector. 'The train will help transport horticulture produce from Kashmir to different markets in the country, including the far-off Kanyakumari, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bihar,' he said. Speaking earlier in Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah described the train as a more dependable transport link, especially compared to the road route that often gets blocked and forces people to pay inflated airfare prices. 'With this train, people will be saved from that,' he noted. 'It will also benefit tourists visiting Kashmir.'
