Northern Railway Announces Special Trains Between Katra and Srinagar to Clear Tourist Rush

Jammu, Feb 2:

In a major relief for tourists and local commuters, Northern Railway’s Jammu Division has announced the operation of Special Reserved Trains connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar. The decision comes in response to a significant surge in passenger volume and will serve as a high-capacity alternative to the Vande Bharat services on specific dates.

Strategic Deployment for Passenger Comfort

The special trains are scheduled to run on February 3rd and 4th, providing a seamless link between the holy town of Katra and the Kashmir Valley. According to the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Mr. Uchit Singhal, these trains are being reintroduced following the immense success of similar operations on January 27th and 28th.

“Prioritizing passenger convenience, we are once again operating these special trains. They proved highly beneficial for both tourists and the people of Kashmir last month,” Singhal stated.

Train Schedule & Timings for Tuesday, February 3rd

1. Train Number: 04627, From Katra to Srinagar, Departure timing; 08:10 AM, Arrival timing; 11:10 AM, Major Halt; Banihal.
2. Train Number: 04628, From Srinagar to Katra, Departure timing; 02:00 PM, Arrival timing; 05:00 PM, Major Halt; Banihal.
   

Train Schedule & Timings for Wednesday, February 4th

1. Train Number: 04629, From Katra to Srinagar, Departure timing; 10:00 AM, Arrival timing; 10:30 PM, Major Halt; Banihal.
2. Train Number: 04630, From Srinagar to Katra, Departure timing; 03:00 PM, Arrival timing; 06:00 PM, Major Halt; Banihal.

Important Information for Travelers

• Vande Bharat Substitution: These special reserved trains are being operated in lieu of a pair of Vande Bharat trains on these specific dates to better manage the heavy rush.

• En Route Stoppages: All special services will halt at Banihal Railway Station, a crucial transit point for commuters.

• Verification: Travelers are strongly advised to verify live status and seat availability through the official Indian Railways website or by dialing the national helpline 139 before heading to the station.

Why This Matters

The Katra-Srinagar rail link has become a lifeline for tourism in the Union Territory. By deploying these special “Reserved” services, the Northern Railway aims to ensure that the heavy influx of visitors does not lead to over-crowding, maintaining the comfort levels associated with the premium rail experience in J&K.