Naveed Ul Haq Ganaiee
Budgam, Sep 19 :
Railway authorities on Friday operated the first special train from Budgam to Katra to facilitate passengers affected by the Jammu–Srinagar highway closure. The service will operate daily for 15 days, from September 19 to October 3, 2025.
An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that arrangements are being made to ensure smooth operations and meet travel demand during the highway shutdown.
According to Northern Railway officials in Jammu, road traffic in the division has been severely affected by heavy rains and waterlogging.
The division had earlier operated a special service between Katra and Sangaldan, but road damage caused by rains disrupted connectivity. Following 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 Railway Manager Vivek Kumar, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal, and Senior Divisional Operations Manager Arish Bansal.
“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 railway officials said, “The safety and convenience of passengers is our top priority. With road services suspended in the Banihal and Katra areas, this special train provides an important alternative to ensure travel for the public.”—(KNO)