Northern Railway has launched special train services to facilitate the movement of tourists and pilgrims stranded in Jammu and Kashmir after severe weather conditions disrupted road connectivity on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway. The decision was taken after heavy rainfall, landslides and continuous shooting stones forced the temporary closure of the highway, affecting thousands of passengers travelling to and from the Kashmir Valley.
According to officials from the Jammu Division of Northern Railway, the special trains are operating between the Kashmir Valley and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to provide a safe and dependable travel option for passengers unable to use the highway. Railway authorities stated that the initiative has been introduced to minimise inconvenience and ensure that stranded travellers can continue their journeys without unnecessary delays.
The Jammu Srinagar National Highway is one of the most important road links connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country. During periods of intense rainfall, the highway frequently experiences landslides, mudslides and falling rocks, commonly referred to as shooting stones. Such incidents often result in temporary traffic restrictions or complete road closures to safeguard public safety.
The recent spell of adverse weather significantly affected normal traffic movement, leaving many pilgrims and tourists stranded at different locations. A large number of passengers travelling to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and other destinations in Jammu and Kashmir were impacted by the disruption.
To address the situation, Northern Railway coordinated with local authorities and railway officials to arrange additional train services. The special trains are intended to provide reliable transportation while road restoration work continues on the affected stretches of the national highway.
Railway officials have advised passengers to remain updated through official railway communication channels for information regarding train schedules, operational changes and ticket availability. Authorities have also urged travellers to avoid unnecessary road travel until weather conditions improve and the highway is declared safe for regular traffic.
Teams from the road construction and disaster management departments are continuing restoration work at multiple locations along the highway. Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear debris, remove rocks and restore safe movement of vehicles. Officials are monitoring weather conditions closely before allowing the resumption of normal traffic.
The railway administration has reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and has assured that additional services may be introduced if required, depending on the number of stranded passengers and prevailing weather conditions. Authorities stated that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth operation of the special trains.
Pilgrimage to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine attracts millions of devotees every year, making uninterrupted transport connectivity an important priority. During emergencies caused by natural disasters or severe weather, the Indian Railways often supplements road transport by introducing additional train services to support affected passengers.
The special train operations reflect the coordinated efforts of the railway administration and local authorities to provide safe transportation during challenging weather conditions. Officials have appealed to passengers to follow official advisories and cooperate with authorities until normal road connectivity is fully restored.