The train will depart Banihal at 11 a.m. and reach Katra by 1:30 p.m., stopping at Reasi, Bakkal, Dugga, Sawalkot, Sangaldan, Sumber, and Khari.

J&K’s Katra:  In order to ensure safe and effective travel for the general public after the traffic disruption caused by the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, Northern Railways announced on Friday that it will begin a second train service between Katra and Banihal stations for 15 days starting on September 19.

Following the shutdown of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in the Udhampur district, Northern Railways launched a special local train service between Katra and Sangaldan on September 8 to assist trapped passengers.

Katra to Banihal new train: View the complete schedule

“This train will run from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ( Katra) to Banihal for 15 days from September 19 to September 30,” stated Uchit Singha, Senior Divisional Operations Manager.

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Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal and Senior Divisional Operations Manager Arish Bansal supported the decision to run this special train, which was made under the direction of Divisional Railway Manager Vivek Kumar.

The train is scheduled to leave Banihal at 11 a.m. and reach Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ( Katra) at 1:30 p.m. Along the way, it will make stops at stations in Reasi, Bakkal, Dugga, Sawalkot, Sangaldan, Sumber, and Khari,” he stated.

In a similar vein, the train will go from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ( Katra) to Banihal, leaving at 1.45 pm and reaching Banihal at 4.10 pm. He noted that both trains will stop at the same stations.

Senior Divisional Operations Manager Arish Bansal discussed the operation of these special trains, saying, “Our division’s primary focus is passenger safety and convenience. Since road services have been interrupted in the Banihal and Katra districts, this unique train will offer a crucial substitute to guarantee the public’s safe and effective movement.”

Road traffic issues in the Jammu division led to the launch of new trains.

This action was taken after heavy rains and waterlogging caused traffic jams in the Northern Railway’s Jammu division.

“In the past, the division ran a dedicated passenger train between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and Sangaldan. However, road traffic is now hampered due to damage caused by heavy rains,” he stated. The state administration and local people’ demands led to the approval of the special train service.