Two special trains start service from Katra to Banihal, Budgam

Twin trains began a fortnight-long service between Katra-Banihal and Katra-Budgam sections of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link as an alternative to ensure safe and efficient travel for the public following the disruption of traffic due to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, officials said.

While a special Vistadom train will operate from Budgam to Katra for next 15 days, another train will ferry passengers between Katra and Banihal for the same period, the officials said. With this, three flood-relief trains will be running on this track.

On September 8, the Northern Railways started a special local train service between Katra and Sangaldan to facilitate stranded passengers in the wake of the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur district.

The train will depart from Banihal at 11 am and arrive at Katra at 1.30 pm. It will stop at Reasi, Bakkal, Dugga, Sawalkot, Sangaldan, Sumber and Khari stations along the route. Similarly, the train will return to Banihal at 4.10 pm, they said.

Speaking on the operation of these special trains, Bansal said, “The safety and convenience of passengers is our top priority in the division. With road services suspended in the Banihal and Katra areas, these special trains will provide an important alternative to ensure safe and efficient travel for the public.” This step has been taken in the wake of road traffic disruptions in the Jammu division of the Northern Railways due to heavy rains and waterlogging.

“The division had previously operated a special train for passengers between Katra and Sangaldan. However, due to damage caused by heavy rains, road traffic has currently been disrupted,” he said.

Following the demand of residents and the state administration, the special train service has been approved.