Divisional Railway Manager Jammu, Vivek Kumar, conducted a thorough inspection of the Jammu-Katra rail section. Additional Divisional Manager, Akshay Kumar Marantu, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Operations Manager, Arish Bansal, and other senior divisional officials were present during the inspection.
The primary objective of the inspection was to assess the operational status of the Jammu-Katra rail section and evaluate critical infrastructure for future development projects.
During the inspection, the Divisional Railway Manager thoroughly inspected the railway tracks, signalling systems, tunnels, bridges, and other infrastructure along the approximately 80-kilometer Jammu-Katra rail section. Stations along this section, including Bajalta, Sangar, Manwal, and Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan, were thoroughly inspected. In which its commitment to improving passenger facilities and operations at these stations was highlighted. Along with this, passenger facilities and safety standards, such as the condition of platforms, structural safety of flyovers and advanced safety systems were also inspected.
During this inspection, railway tunnels and railway bridges on the rail section were inspected to ensure their structural stability and the condition of the railway tracks was also assessed.
Signalling and telecommunications play a vital role in train operations.
As a result, a detailed inspection of the functioning of signalling interlocking systems and telecommunications equipment was carried out for safe train operations.
The Divisional Railway Manager, Jammu, while inspecting the Jammu-Katra rail section, said, “Passenger safety is our top priority. This comprehensive inspection drive is part of our regular process to ensure the strength and reliability of our infrastructure.”
He further stated that this comprehensive inspection has been conducted to ensure the safe and reliable operation of rail services during the upcoming harsh weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Tourism Trade and Industry Katra (CTTIK) has expressed deep concern over the hardships being faced by Vaishnodevi pilgrims due to the “lacklustre” approach of the Indian Railways in restoring the damaged railway network in the Jammu region. The railway infrastructure suffered extensive damage following continuous rains and water-logging in august , yet despite the passage of two months, the situation remains largely unresolved.
Pilgrims who had made train reservations for September and October found their journeys abruptly cancelled by the railway authorities at the eleventh hour causing immense inconvenience and financial losses. Worryingly, the same trend is being observed for november bookings leaving thousands of devotees uncertain about their travel plans. Adding to the distress special train permissions for yatri groups are reportedly not being considered, further complicating pilgrimage travel to the holy town of Katra.
CTTIK noted that the business community of Jammu division in general and Katra in particular continues to reel under multiple setbacks. The region’s hospitality and tourism sectors were already struggling since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 followed by operation sindoor and then the torrential rains in August. Now the disruption, delay, cancellation and short termination of train services have added yet another blow to the fragile economic ecosystem.
It is pertinent to mention that over 80% of Vaishnodevi pilgrims travel by rail , making the restoration of train services crucial for both devotees and local stakeholders. The prolonged inaction is severely affecting not only the pilgrims but also the hotels, guest houses, traders, transporters, and ancillary businesses dependent on the pilgrimage economy.
CTTIK President Raj Kumar Padha has raised serious concern over the plight of these businesses and the growing uncertainty surrounding the pilgrimage season. He urged the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma, and MLA Baldev Raj Sharma to intervene urgently and ensure that the restoration of the damaged railway network is taken up on a war footing.
Immediate action, Padha emphasized, would not only alleviate the difficulties of the Vaishnodevi pilgrims but also provide much-needed breathing space to the struggling tourism and business community of the Jammu region.