As all flights from Srinagar Airport were cancelled and the highway was also closed due to bad weather, Northern Railways operated special trains amid heavy snowfall between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar to ensure the smooth movement of tourists stranded due to inclement weather.
Nearly 1,400 passengers from Katra and Srinagar reached their destinations through these special trains when all roads were closed, and air connectivity was not functioning.
This is a specially designed train introduced in Jammu and Kashmir, keeping in view the weather conditions and other related things. Everything, like temperature and snow, has been kept in mind while manufacturing this special train.
"Northern Railway's Jammu Division strives to provide its passengers with the best possible facilities and comfortable travel. In line with this commitment to passenger convenience, special reserved train number 04627 was successfully operated today, January 27, between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar," Raghvender Singh, Public Relations Inspector, Jammu Division, told The International Business Times.
This special reserved train was operated by the Jammu Division considering the situation arising due to heavy crowds and inclement weather. The train proved to be an extremely convenient and safe option for passengers. Special reserved train number 04627 departed from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra on schedule at 8:10 am, carrying more than 650 passengers.
Passengers travelling on the train expressed gratitude to the Railways for operating the special service and stated that, regardless of the circumstances, the Jammu Division provides better travel options by operating special reserved trains from time to time. Since air and road traffic were affected, the Railways remained the only reliable option for passengers.
Regarding special reserved train number 04628, the train arrived at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra from Srinagar on January 27 after departing Srinagar at its scheduled time of 2:00 pm. More than 700 passengers travelled on this special reserved train.
Passengers travelling from Srinagar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra appreciated the special train service and said that tourists visiting Kashmir from different parts of the country experienced a smooth journey despite the adverse weather.
Commenting on the successful operation of the special trains, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said, "The special reserved trains have facilitated connectivity between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and the Kashmir Valley during inclement weather. The trains maintained an occupancy rate of over 100 per cent during their operation. Passengers appreciated this special service and said that the trains were extremely beneficial, especially when road and air travel were disrupted.
"This initiative will ensure safer travel during bad weather, which is a significant step in improving passenger convenience, particularly as many tourists visit Kashmir during the snowy season. This could also lead to an increase in the number of tourists visiting Kashmir."
