Tourists, locals prefer train travel over disrupted roads; officials say Vande Bharat running at full capacity, Dr Farooq praises rail connectivity
Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Dec 22 :
Inclement weather in Jammu and Kashmir has prompted a surge in passengers at railway stations, with many preferring train travel between Jammu and Srinagar over road transport, officials said on Monday.
An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the recent snowfall in the valley led to a surge of local passengers and tourists, putting additional pressure on railway services. He said the railways have made arrangements to manage passengers amid ongoing snowfall and rainfall across the region, which has disrupted road traffic.
Two Vandai Bharat trains are currently running between Srinagar and Katra in both directions, the official said, adding, “If passenger rush increases in the coming days, we will write to higher authorities for additional trains.”
He said the Katra–Srinagar rail service is operating at full capacity to accommodate travellers affected by disrupted road movement.
Tourists also praised the railway service, saying it made their travel more comfortable than road transport. “We were worried about reaching Srinagar, but the Vande Bharat train made the journey smooth and hassle-free despite the snowfall,” Pooja Sharma, a traveller, told KNO.
National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah also travelled from Katra to Srinagar aboard the Vande Bharat train.
Abdullah, who started his journey from Katra—the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi—praised the railway link for providing year-round connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.
“The train has been a great advantage. Even when flights are cancelled or roads are blocked, it continues to operate, helping the people of the valley,” he told reporters—(KNO)