Jammu, Sep 19: Owing to the difficulties faced by people due to the disruption of the Jammu-Srinagar highway, Northern Railways will launch a special train service between Katra and Banihal for 15 days starting from today.
This initiative aims to provide a safe and efficient travel alternative for the public, following the disruption of traffic caused by the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
Earlier on September 8, a special local train service began between Katra and Sangaldan to help stranded passengers following the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Udhampur district.
Starting from September 19, this new train service will operate between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal for 15 days, until September 30. The train will depart from Banihal at 11 a.m. and reach Katra at 1:30 p.m., making stops at Reasi, Bakkal, Dugga, Sawalkot, Sangaldan, Sumber, and Khari stations along the way.
Similarly, the return train will operate between Katra and Banihal, departing from Katra at 1:45 p.m. and arriving in Banihal at 4:10 p.m. Both trains will stop at the same stations along the route.
It is worth noting that a 50-60 meter stretch of the road had sunk near the Tharad bridge in Udhampur district on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
However, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) swiftly laid an alternative route at Tharad. Over the past two days, more than 4,800 fruit-laden trucks have used this diversion to transport apples from the Valley to outside markets.
Apple growers and traders in the Valley have faced significant losses due to the ongoing disruption of the highway. Fruit in stranded trucks at various points along the highway has spoiled, forcing growers to discard the rotten produce.
To assist, the Railways have been operating parcel trains to transport fruit from Kashmir to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi.
In light of the losses, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged for the operation of more parcel trains to help safeguard the region’s horticulture industry from further damage.
