Rlys to restore train service from Pathankot to Jogindernagar

The Northern Railways, Jammu, which had suspended train service between Nurpur and Baijnath railway stations in Kangra district on July 4 has committed to restore the service next month and make the newly built interstate Chakki Railway Bridge operational in the same month.

Deepak Bhardwaj, member of the Railway Consultative Committee, today said he had earlier raised demands concerning Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow gauge before the authorities concerned in May and this meeting had been convened especially to review progress on the various railway projects in Himachal Pradesh.

He said the General Manager had committed to resume train service from Nurpur road – Baijnath railway stations in November along with newly built Chakki railway bridge. The old Chakki railway bridge had washed away in the flash flood in Chakki rivulet in August 2022 snapping train service connectivity from Pathankot railway station.

But the Northern Railways had partially restored train service between Nurpur road and Baijnath railway stations. But with the onset of monsoon this service too remained suspended every year due to heavy rains and landslides triggered at various locations near Kangra. The disruption created hardships for locals and pilgrims, particularly those visiting the Jawalamukhi Temple.

Before collapsing, the Chakki railway bridge built in 2022, seven (up -down) passenger trains ran daily on this narrow-gauge serving hundreds of passengers in Kangra district but after partial restoration of train service only two trains were operational.