Road connectivity has been completely cut off due to heavy rains and floods in Ramban and Reasi districts of Jammu and Kashmir. In such a situation, thousands of passengers and devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi are stranded midway. To give great relief to the passengers, Northern Railway has decided to run two local passenger trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Sangaldan stations. This service will be available from September 8 to September 12, till the road is fully restored. This move of the Railways will give the passengers the option of safe and smooth travel.
The condition worsened due to floods and rain.
Continuous rains and flash floods for the last several days have worsened the situation in Reasi and Ramban districts. Many roads have been badly damaged, causing the complete closure of the roads in these areas. In this difficult time, Northern Railway immediately took action and announced the start of train service. This service is especially designed to provide a safe travel option to stranded people.
The train became a lifeline for passengers.
The running of these special trains will prove to be a boon for the devotees and local passengers visiting Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. This service will safely transport the passengers to their destination via Reasi, Bakkal, and Dugga stations. Officials say that until the weather becomes completely normal and road connectivity is re-established, these trains will act as a lifeline for the passengers.
Impact and hope on travel
The journey to Vaishno Devi has also been affected due to heavy rains. However, the administration says that the weather is expected to improve by next week, and the journey may become normal again. This initiative of the Railways will not only provide relief to the stranded passengers but will also help in bringing the journey back on track in the coming days. Passengers welcomed the decision and said that at such a time, such initiatives prove to be very helpful.