Northern Railway Steps In With Special Srinagar-Katra Train Service As Landslides And Road Damage Shut Key Jammu-Srinagar Highway Route

Written By: Bishal Deb

Bishal Deb

I am pursuing a career in travel journalism with Travel And Tour World, focusing on global tourism, aviation, hospitality, and destination developments. Passionate about uncovering stories that shape the future of travel, I specialise in researching and reporting on airline expansions, airport growth, tourism trends, and emerging destinations. Through detailed analysis and engaging storytelling, I aim to deliver informative and impactful travel news to global audiences while exploring the evolving dynamics of the worldwide tourism industry.

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July 24, 2026 22:39 GMT+5:30

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Northern Railway has stepped in with a special Srinagar-Katra train service after landslides, shooting stones, heavy rainfall and road damage forced the closure of the key Jammu-Srinagar National Highway route, disrupting passenger movement across Jammu and Kashmir. The additional train service has been introduced to provide an alternative travel option for stranded passengers, tourists and pilgrims while road restoration work continues, ensuring continued connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Katra during the weather-related disruption.

Northern Railway has introduced a special passenger train between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra after severe weather conditions disrupted road travel across Jammu and Kashmir. The move comes as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remains closed due to heavy rainfall, landslides, shooting stones and sections of road damage, leaving several travellers and vehicles stranded along the route. The additional train service has been introduced to provide smoother movement for passengers affected by the highway closure and rising travel demand.

The special rail operation offers an alternative connection between the Kashmir Valley and Katra at a time when road movement has been severely affected. It is expected to support tourists, local commuters and pilgrims travelling between Srinagar, Banihal and Katra while restoration work continues on the damaged highway sections.

New Srinagar-Katra Train Service Helps Passengers During Road Connectivity Crisis

The newly introduced special train will operate between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra through the Banihal route, providing additional passenger capacity during the ongoing disruption.

The service will leave Srinagar at 5:00 pm and is scheduled to arrive at Katra at 8:15 pm. On its return journey, the train will depart from Katra at 8:45 am on July 24 and reach Srinagar at 11:50 am.

The train will be operated using an eight-coach MEMU rake, designed to accommodate more passengers during periods of increased travel demand. It will operate without intermediate stops between Banihal and Katra in both directions, helping passengers complete the journey with fewer delays.

The introduction of this additional service aims to reduce pressure on other transport options and provide a dependable travel solution while road conditions remain uncertain.

Heavy Rainfall And Landslides Bring Jammu-Srinagar Highway Traffic To A Standstill

The railway service has been launched as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway continues to face major disruption for the second consecutive day because of adverse weather conditions.

Continuous rainfall has triggered multiple landslides, falling stones and road erosion at different locations along the highway. These incidents have affected traffic movement on the important route that connects Jammu with the Kashmir Valley.

Hundreds of vehicles have been impacted due to the closure, with passengers experiencing delays and uncertainty while waiting for road conditions to improve. The highway disruption has affected both local movement and tourist travel during a period when Jammu and Kashmir continues to attract visitors.

The challenging mountain terrain of the region makes the highway highly sensitive to extreme weather events. Rain-related damage frequently creates travel difficulties, highlighting the importance of alternative transport links.

Special Rail Connection Supports Pilgrimage And Tourism Movement In Jammu And Kashmir

The Srinagar-Katra special train service is expected to provide significant support for pilgrimage and tourism travel in the region.

Katra is a major travel destination as it serves as the gateway for visitors heading towards the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, one of India’s most visited religious destinations. Any disruption in road connectivity can create challenges for thousands of pilgrims travelling to the area.

The additional railway service ensures that travellers have another transportation option during the highway closure. It also strengthens the role of rail networks in maintaining regional mobility when road infrastructure faces unexpected disruptions.

For tourists exploring Kashmir and passengers travelling between Jammu and the Valley, the temporary service offers improved convenience and greater travel certainty during difficult conditions.

Railway Backup Strengthens Regional Connectivity During Weather Emergencies

The latest special train operation demonstrates the importance of reliable transport alternatives in areas affected by natural disruptions.

The Jammu-Srinagar route is a critical transportation corridor, connecting communities, businesses, tourists and pilgrims. However, its location across mountainous terrain makes it vulnerable to landslides, rainfall and other weather-related challenges.

Rail connectivity through the Banihal-Katra section has become increasingly important in maintaining passenger movement whenever highway operations are interrupted.

The special Srinagar-Katra service will help reduce the impact of the highway closure by offering passengers a safer and more predictable travel option. As repair and clearance activities continue on affected road sections, the additional train service will support smoother movement and improve connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir.