No respite for passengers as 28 J&K trains stay suspended

The disruption in train operations to and from Jammu and Kashmir has caused significant inconvenience to travellers, especially during the ongoing festive season. Many J&K people living in other states, who had planned visits to the Union Territory, have been left frustrated due to continued suspension of several train services.

Also, thousands of devotees use trains to reach Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi shrine. The delay in restoring these services has left many pilgrims struggling to find alternate modes of transport.

Rail infrastructure in the Jammu region suffered extensive damage due to heavy rains and flashfloods in August, which triggered landslides and washed out key rail lines. While services have gradually resumed in phases, a large number of trains remain non-operational.

According to a recent official communication, 22 trains suspended last month will resume operations between October 15 and October 21. However, no timeline has been provided for the resumption of 28 other trains, most of which run in pairs. These include 26405 (Amritsar-Katra), 26406 (Katra-Amritsar), 22439 (New Delhi-Katra), 22440 (Katra-New Delhi), 22461 (New Delhi-Katra) and 22462 (Katra to New Delhi). Their operations are likely to remain discontinued even beyond October 15.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal stated that restoration efforts are ongoing, and the fifth phase of re-operation has been announced to bring more trains back into service.

“Keeping in mind passenger convenience and the festive season, several important trains are being re-operated under the fifth phase in the Jammu division,” Singhal said.

The railways will re-operate train number 74909 (Pathankot – Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan, Udhampur) from October 15; 74910 (Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan, Udhampur - Pathankot) from October 15; 12426 (Jammu Tawi – New Delhi) from October 16; 12752 (Jammu Tawi – Nanded) from October 19; 11078 (Jammu Tawi – Pune) from October 17; 18102 (Jammu Tawi – Tatanagar) from October 18; and 18310 (Jammu Tawi – Sambalpur) from October 19.

Some Jammu trains will be short-terminated and short-originated. These trains include 19028 (Jammu Tawi - Bandra Terminus) that will be short-terminated from Ludhiana; 19416 (Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra - Sabarmati BG) is being short-terminated from Amritsar; 20986 (Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan, Udhampur - Kota) is being short-originated from Ludhiana; 22942 (Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan, Udhampur - Indore) is being short-originated from Jalandhar Cant; 20848 (Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan, Udhampur – Durg) is being short-originated from Ambala Cant.

Singhal added, “Following the disaster, we have worked on a war footing to repair damaged tracks, bridges, and rail infrastructure. Our aim is to fully restore services as soon as possible, ensuring minimal inconvenience to passengers. We appreciate their cooperation and patience.”