Katra, April 24, 2025: In response to the increased passenger rush following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian Railways has established a dedicated helpdesk at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station to assist tourists returning to their destinations. Additionally, a special train service from Katra to New Delhi has been launched to accommodate the surge in travel demand, as announced by the Ministry of Railways and Northern Railway on April 23, 2025.
The helpdesk, set up at the SVDK station, provides guidance to passengers, facilitating ticketing, train schedules, and other travel-related queries. The special train, initially scheduled to depart Katra at 9:00 PM on April 23, 2025, faced a revision in its timetable. According to a post by
Tickets for this service are available over the counter at Katra, Udhampur, and Jammu stations, ensuring accessibility for those affected by the sudden travel disruptions.
Ashok Kumar Verma, General Manager of Northern Railway, confirmed the initiative, stating, “We are running a special train to Delhi to assist passengers. If demand persists, additional trains can be arranged.” This response comes as airfares from Srinagar have skyrocketed, prompting airlines like Air India and SpiceJet to cap fares and offer free rescheduling or cancellations until April 30, 2025, for flights to Delhi and Mumbai.
The special train service, covering the 655-kilometer route to New Delhi, is part of Indian Railways’ efforts to ensure safe and affordable travel options for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, a major pilgrimage site attracting over 10 million devotees annually.
This development underscores Indian Railways’ commitment to passenger welfare and efficient crowd management during crises, reinforcing Katra’s role as a critical transit hub for pilgrims and travellers in Jammu and Kashmir.