Northern Railway Announces 40 Additional Delhi–Katra Special Train Runs for Summer Pilgrim Rush
The Northern Railway has announced 40 additional runs of a special train service between New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to accommodate increased passenger demand during the upcoming summer travel season.
The decision comes in response to a surge in bookings, particularly from pilgrims heading to the Vaishno Devi shrine, as well as tourists travelling further into Jammu and Kashmir.
Key Announcements / Highlights
- 40 additional runs approved for the Delhi–Katra special train
- Services to operate between April 15 and July 16
- Both directions will see equal additional trips
- Train to halt at major stations including Panipat, Ludhiana, and Jammu
- 21-coach composition aimed at improving ticket availability
Service Details and Schedule
According to railway officials, Train No. 04081 will depart from New Delhi at 11:45 pm and reach Katra at noon the next day. The return service, Train No. 04082, will leave Katra at 9 pm and arrive in New Delhi at 10 am the following morning.
The train will stop at key stations en route, including Panipat, Kurukshetra, Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Jalandhar Cantt, Pathankot Cantt, Jammu, and Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan station.
Official Statement
A senior official from the Jammu Division said the extension was approved after the service recorded full occupancy in its earlier runs. The official noted that the train has emerged as a cost-effective and convenient option for pilgrims and general passengers alike.
He added that the additional services are expected to ease pressure on regular trains and improve the chances of passengers securing confirmed tickets during peak travel months.
Context / Background
The Katra railway station serves as the primary railhead for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi Temple, one of India’s most visited religious destinations.
Passenger traffic typically increases sharply during summer vacations and festive periods, prompting Indian Railways to introduce special services to manage demand.
Public Impact
The additional train runs are expected to benefit a wide range of travellers, including pilgrims, tourists, and residents of intermediate towns along the route. Increased seat availability may also help reduce waitlists and last-minute travel uncertainty.
For the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir, improved rail connectivity during peak season could support higher visitor inflow.
The special train services will run until mid-July, covering the peak summer travel period. Railway officials indicated that further decisions on extending or adding services will depend on passenger demand in the coming months.
Inputs & Images: Hindusthan Samachar
Edited by: Pushkarini Annabathula
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Last Updated on: Friday, April 3, 2026 3:19 pm by Pushkarini Annabathula | Published by: Pushkarini Annabathula on Friday, April 3, 2026 3:19 pm | News Categories: Latest
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