JAMMU, SEPT 18: In a major move to handle the anticipated festive rush, the Northern Railway’s Jammu Division will operate three pairs of reserved special trains connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Jammu Tawi, Varanasi and New Delhi during the upcoming Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath Puja season.
The railway authorities said the festival specials have been planned to facilitate passenger movement, clear the additional rush and provide relief to travellers facing long waiting lists during the peak festive period.
A railway spokesperson described the decision as a major relief for passengers, saying the additional services would improve the availability of confirmed tickets while ensuring safer and more comfortable travel.
The first service, 04604/04603 Katra–Varanasi–Katra Special, will make nine trips in each direction. Train 04604 will depart from Katra every Sunday from October 4 to November 29 at 6:15 PM, while train 04603 will leave Varanasi every Tuesday from October 6 to December 1 at 4:30 AM.
The Katra–Varanasi special will provide connectivity through several major stations, including Jammu Tawi, Pathankot Cantt, Jalandhar Cantt, Ludhiana, Ambala Cantt, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Alamnagar, Rae Bareli and Pratapgarh, among others.
The second service, 04610/04609 Jammu Tawi–Varanasi–Jammu Tawi Special, will also operate nine trips in each direction. Train 04610 will run every Thursday from October 1 to November 26, while train 04609 will operate every Friday from October 2 to November 27.
The service will offer additional connectivity to passengers travelling through important destinations including Pathankot, Jalandhar, Ambala, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Shahjahanpur, Lucknow and Sultanpur.
The third service, 04081/04082 New Delhi–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Festival Special, has been scheduled for four trips in each direction specifically to cater to the Dussehra rush. Train 04081 will operate on October 8, 9, 10 and 11, while its return service, 04082, will run on October 9, 10, 11 and 12.
The additional trains will provide direct connectivity between New Delhi and Katra, benefiting passengers travelling from Delhi, Haryana and Punjab to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine as well as those travelling towards the national capital.
Railway authorities said the special services would help distribute the additional passenger load and reduce pressure on regular trains during the festive season.
The move is also expected to provide passengers with more travel options and ease the scramble for confirmed tickets during one of the busiest periods of the railway calendar.
With Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath Puja expected to generate substantial passenger movement, the Jammu Division has stepped up arrangements to ensure smoother rail connectivity and facilitate the movement of pilgrims and other travellers across the region.
