The first semi-high-speed train for Kashmir, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) - Srinagar Vande Bharat, will likely start its service in the next 15 days. As per reports, senior railway officials have told the media that PM Modi's flag-off of the train will be held this month. The train had reached Kashmir a few days ago and successfully completed its trial run. The grey-orange carrier is specially designed with climate-friendly features to conduct smooth services in the Union Territory. The train will reportedly be conducive to conducting services even in extremely low temperatures like -20 degrees. The train also has advanced heating systems, a heated windshield in the driver's cabin to prevent freezing and fogging, heated plumbing, and bio-toilets with anti-freeze tanks. There are also reports from that the service can be extended to Budgam. The train, which will operate on the Udhampur - Srinagar - Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) will cover the 150 km distance between the first and last stations in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Reasi and Banihal will be two of the key stations en route to Srinagar. 

Date, fares and coaches
The train is expected to operate six days a week. It should depart from Katra at 8.10 am and reach Srinagar at 11.20 am. The return journey should be at 12.45 pm from Srinagar, and the arrival at Katra is expected to be at 3.55 pm. Sangaldan, Quazigund, Anantnag and Avantipora are some of the other stations between Katra and Srinagar. If extended to Budgam, it will also have another 20 stations enroute. The estimated fare is Rs 1500 to Rs 1600 for AC Chair Car and Rs 2200 to Rs 2500 for Executive Chair Car. The train has around 16 air-conditioned coaches, including two executive coaches, to accommodate around 1,128 passengers. 

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