KATRA/SRINAGAR, January 25, 2026 — In response to an extraordinary surge in passenger demand and widespread travel disruptions, railway officials have announced the operation of reserved special trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) and Srinagar (SINA) on January 27 and 28, 2026.
The decision follows the instructions of the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Sr. DCM/JAT) to mitigate the crisis caused by the closure of major road links and the cancellation of flights due to ongoing inclement weather. These special services are designed to run on the path of the non-operational Vande Bharat express to ensure that at least two train services remain available for commuters on these critical dates.
According to the official schedule, the special train on January 27 is slated to depart from Katra (SVDK) at 08:10 hrs, reaching Srinagar (SINA) at 11:10 hrs, with a brief stoppage at Banihal (BAHL). The return journey from Srinagar is scheduled to depart at 14:00 hrs, arriving back in Katra by 17:00 hrs.
On January 28, the service will depart Katra at 10:30 hrs and reach Srinagar at 13:30 hrs, while the return leg will leave Srinagar at 15:00 hrs and conclude in Katra at 18:00 hrs. Both services will include an en-route stoppage at Banihal to accommodate local passengers.The proposed composition for these special trains includes two power cars, one LWRRM coach, four 3AC coaches, and four 3AC Economy coaches to maximize passenger capacity.
To ensure a smooth and safe transit for the heavy influx of travelers, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been requested to provide the necessary security clearances for the operation. These additional services are expected to provide significant relief to hundreds of stranded passengers who have been affected by the current transport bottleneck in the region.
