Jaipur: Pilgrims from western Rajasthan travelling to Vaishno Devi shrine will no longer need to change trains at Jammu Tawi while travelling on Sabarmati BG–Jammu Tawi Express, following the extension of the service to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station.Train no. 19223 began operating to Katra instead of Jammu Tawi from its departure from Sabarmati BG Sunday. Its return service, train no. 19224, will also originate from Katra from Sunday, providing a direct rail link to the pilgrimage base. The move is expected to benefit elderly devotees and families travelling with children and luggage.“The extension was particularly significant for passengers from Pali Marwar, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Abu Road and Hanumangarh, who frequently travel to the shrine. The extended service will also stop at three additional stations — Samba, Bari Brahman and Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan — improving connectivity for passengers travelling to and from the Jammu region,” said chief public relations officer, NWR, Amit Sudarshan.The extension adds to existing rail options for pilgrims from other parts of Rajasthan. Passengers from Jaipur, Ajmer, Dausa and Alwar already have trains connecting them to Jammu Tawi and Katra, including Pooja Superfast Express, Shalimar Malani Express and Sabarmati–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express at their scheduled stoppages.A railway official said Pooja Superfast Express and Shalimar Malani Express are also likely to be extended to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station in the near future.The latest extension provides an additional direct option for pilgrims from western Rajasthan using the Sabarmati service. By eliminating the need to change trains at Jammu Tawi, it is expected to make the final leg of the journey more convenient, particularly for passengers travelling with family members and heavy luggage.
