SRINAGAR: Indian Railways has announced additional Festival Special train services connecting New Delhi with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, along with special services between Malda Town and Haridwar, to accommodate the expected passenger rush during October and November.
The additional services include two New Delhi–Katra trains operating on selected dates, seven trips each of the Malda Town–Haridwar service in both directions, and 12 additional trips each way on an existing New Delhi–Katra special train. The arrangements provide additional travel options for passengers visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine during the festive period.
Train numbers 04085 and 04086 between New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra will operate on October 15 and 17 from New Delhi, with return services from Katra on October 16 and 18. The trains will have AC, Sleeper and General coaches.
A second service, numbered 04485 and 04486, will run from New Delhi on October 18 and 20, with return journeys from Katra on October 19 and 21. These trains will provide AC and Sleeper accommodation.
Both services will stop at Sonipat, Panipat Junction, Kurukshetra Junction, Ambala Cantt, Dhandari Kalan, Jalandhar Cantt, Pathankot Cantt, Martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua, Jammu Tawi and Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan before reaching Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra.
The Railways has also scheduled seven trips of train numbers 03437 and 03438 between Malda Town and Haridwar. Train 03437 will run from Malda Town on Saturdays, October 17, 24 and 31, and November 7, 14, 21 and 28. The return service, 03438, will depart from Haridwar on Sundays, October 18 and 25, and November 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.
The Malda Town–Haridwar trains will have AC, Sleeper and General coaches. Their scheduled stops include New Farakka, Barharwa Junction, Sahibganj, Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur, Jamalpur Junction, Kiul Junction, Patna Junction, Ara, Buxar, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Varanasi, Sultanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad and Laksar.
In another measure, the operating period of train numbers 04081 and 04082, the New Delhi–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Reserved Festival Special Express, has been extended. The additional trips will operate from New Delhi between October 26 and November 6 and from Katra between October 27 and November 7. The schedule lists 12 additional trips in each direction, with AC, Sleeper and General coaches.
Passengers have been advised to check the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) for updated schedules and train status or contact railway helpline 139. They should also verify the operating dates and seat availability before travelling.
