JAMMU, July 27, 2026 – In a major relief effort, the Northern Railway has launched special train services connecting the Kashmir Valley and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to assist thousands of tourists and pilgrims. The move comes as heavy rainfall, landslides, and shooting stones have forced the closure of the crucial Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
According to a spokesperson for the Jammu Division railways, the initiative was implemented to provide a safe and reliable travel alternative for passengers stranded by the severe weather and persistent road blockages. Over 1,500 passengers have already benefited from these emergency services.
To tackle the travel disruptions, authorities scheduled multiple special routes:
- July 24 Operations: A dedicated train departed from Sangaldan at 1:45 PM, making halts at Banihal and Anantnag before arriving in Srinagar at 4:40 PM. The return service left Srinagar at 5:00 PM, safely transporting passengers to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra by 8:15 PM.
- Route Extensions: Standard routes have been modified to accommodate the rush, including the extension of train number 74620 from Sangaldan directly to Katra.
- Prior Services: An earlier special train also successfully operated between Srinagar and Katra on July 23.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal stated that the decision to run these special trains was made immediately after assessing the severe weather conditions and resulting traffic disruptions.
Railway authorities strongly advise all passengers to verify train schedules and updates via the NTES app, the official IRCTC website, or by dialing the 139 helpline before commencing their journeys.
Published by True Roots Media Network