Northern Railways Launches Relief Train From Jammu To Delhi After 58 Cancellations

Northern Railways on Thursday operated a special unreserved train from Jammu to New Delhi to assist stranded passengers, including tourists and Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims, after heavy rains disrupted train services in the region.

The special train departed around 2 pm from Jammu station and made scheduled stops at Kathua, Pathankot Cantonment, and other major stations. The step was taken after several appeals from passengers stuck at Jammu railway station following large-scale cancellations due to flash floods and soil erosion.

According to officials, Northern Railways had on Wednesday cancelled 58 trains to and from Jammu and Katra stations, while 64 others were either short-terminated or short-originated at various points across the division. Train services were badly hit after record rainfall damaged tracks and bridges, particularly in the Jammu-Pathankot section.

"Passengers stranded at Jammu, Kathua and other stations can board the special train," the Railways' Public Relations Officer (PRO) in Jammu said, adding that the initiative was aimed at providing relief to those awaiting restoration of regular services.

Rail traffic in the division was briefly restored on Wednesday morning, with six trains departing from Jammu after a day-long suspension. However, services were halted again later due to flash floods and severe soil erosion in the Chakki river area.

In total, 58 trains were cancelled, three partially cancelled, one partially restored, five fully restored, three diverted, 18 short-originated, and 46 short-terminated, officials said.

Many of the stranded passengers were pilgrims returning from the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. Babita Jaiswal, a passenger from Kanpur, expressed her frustration: "We were in Katra for two days but were told trains were available from Jammu. We reached here by bus, but there is neither a train nor a bus now. We don't have a place to stay or proper washrooms. How will we return home?"

To provide immediate relief, Railways, in coordination with NGOs and civil society groups, arranged food and water for passengers stranded at Manwal, Sangar, and Gaghwal stations. The Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and station staff assisted in ensuring supplies and lodging facilities during the adverse weather.

Authorities said efforts are underway to restore full services as quickly as possible.