SRINAGAR: The ongoing redevelopment of Jammu Tawi Railway Station has caused the cancellation and rescheduling of several trains until March, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers, including pilgrims visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The changes will affect train services for the next two months.
Quoting official spokesperson from the Northern Railway, Daily Excelsior reported that 65 trains to and from Jammu will be cancelled for different periods, while 25 other trains are being short terminated or rescheduled. Key affected services include the Vande Bharat between New Delhi and Katra, the Shalimar Express between Jammu and Barmer, and the Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) between Pathankot and Udhampur, among others. Several other trains, including services connecting cities like Sealdah, Kathgodam, and Guwahati, have also been cancelled.
The cancellations are part of the station’s redevelopment, which includes the construction of a new station building and the addition of four new platforms, bringing the total to seven. The project is expected to be completed in six months. To facilitate the work, Pre Non-interlocking (PNI) and Non-interlocking (NI) activities will take place from January 15 to March 3, 2025, affecting train schedules.
Additional suspended services include the Durg Express to Udhampur, the Tirupati Balaji-Jammu Humsafar Express, and the Sealdah-Jammu Tawi Humsafar Express. Several other trains are also cancelled or altered on specific dates in January, February, and March.
The widespread cancellations have led to significant inconvenience for passengers, especially pilgrims heading to the Vaishno Devi Shrine. The Vande Bharat service between New Delhi and Katra (22439 and 22440) will be suspended for 50 days, starting January 16. Passengers have been advised to check with railway authorities for updates, but many have expressed frustration over the lack of prior information, the report added.
The station’s redevelopment aims to modernise infrastructure, including the addition of washing pits, increased line capacity, and improved cleanliness at the platforms. Once completed, the redevelopment will provide passengers with a more efficient and comfortable travel experience.
Meanwhile, speculations about the inauguration of the Katra-Sangaldan rail link, with reports suggesting it will be inaugurated on January 26 by the Prime Minister, have not received any official confirmation yet.
