Amid heavy snowfall, Northern Railway’s Jammu Division operated a special reserved train between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar on Tuesday, ferrying over 1,350 passengers in both directions.
Officials told that the move aimed to mitigate travel disruptions caused by heavy snowfall and inclement weather, which had severely impacted air and road connectivity in the Kashmir Valley.
Train No. 04627 departed from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 8:10 AM as scheduled with more than 650 passengers on board. In the return direction, Train No. 04628 left Srinagar at 2:00 PM, carrying over 700 passengers to Katra.
Passengers expressed gratitude to the railways for providing a safe and reliable travel option when other modes of transport remained suspended or erratic.
“The railways emerged as the only dependable mode of travel today. This special train service has been a great help,” said a passenger traveling from Katra to Srinagar.
Another traveler, part of a tourist group from outside the state, said the service ensured a smooth journey despite the challenging weather, allowing them to continue their pilgrimage and sightseeing plans without major delays.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the initiative was part of the railways’ commitment to passenger convenience, especially during extreme weather.
“The special train recorded an occupancy of over 100 percent and has ensured seamless connectivity between Katra and the Kashmir Valley. Such services are crucial during the snowy season, enhancing travel safety and supporting tourism in the region,” Singhal told KNS.
He added that the proactive operation of special trains during weather emergencies is likely to boost tourist confidence and inflow into Kashmir during the winter months.
The railway authorities said they are monitoring the weather and passenger demand and may run additional special trains if required in the coming days. (KNS)
