Srinagar, Aug 01: With the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remaining closed due to adverse weather, Northern Railway has intensified efforts to ensure uninterrupted connectivity by operating special train services between Budgam and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, helping nearly 2,200 stranded passengers reach their destinations safely.
The special train service was introduced following a sharp increase in passenger footfall at Srinagar and Katra railway stations after the highway closure disrupted road traffic, officials said.
The special train departs from Budgam at 1:00 pm and reaches Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station at 4:20 pm, with scheduled halts at Srinagar, Banihal and Sangaldan stations.
For the return journey, the train leaves Katra at 5:05 pm and arrives in Budgam at 8:30 pm, providing much-needed relief to hundreds of commuters affected by the highway closure.
Railway authorities said the special train service will continue until normal vehicular movement is restored on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
Officials said the operation has played a crucial role in easing the travel woes of stranded passengers, ensuring seamless connectivity despite the disruption in road transport. They reiterated Northern Railway’s commitment to facilitating passenger movement and said the operation of the special trains continue to operate to ease passenger movement until normal traffic on the highway is restored.
