Railway authorities on Friday started the first special train from Budgam to Katra to facilitate passengers affected by the constant closure of the Jammu and Kashmir Highway. The service will be operated daily for 15 days, from September 19 to October 3.
An official confirmed that arrangements are being made to ensure smooth operations to not only ferry the passenger with safety but also limit the travel time during the highway shutdown. As per the Northern Railway officials in Jammu, surface traffic (road) in the division has been severely impacted by the persisting heavy rains and waterlogging.
The division had earlier operated a special train between Katra and Sangaldan; however, the road damage has caused connectivity disruption.
Following continuous requests from residents and the administration, the railway decided to run a special train between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal for 15 days under the supervision of Divisional Manager Vivek Kumar, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal, and Senior Divisional Operations Manager Arish Bansal.
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“Train No. 04688 will depart Banihal at 11:00 am and reach Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 1:30 pm, stopping at Reasi, Bakkal, Dugga, Sawalkot, Sangaldan, Sumber, and Khari,” the official said, adding that the return service, Train No. 04687, will leave Katra at 1:45 pm and arrive at Banihal at 4:10 pm with the same halts.
Senior officials from the railway said, “The safety and ease of travellers is our top priority. With road services suspended in the Banihal and Katra areas, this special train delivers a vital substitute to ensure travel for the public.”
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