Mata Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage: Northern Railway Adds Extra Coaches for Navratri Rush in Jammu

JAMMU March 17, 2026 — In anticipation of the heavy influx of pilgrims traveling to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi during the upcoming Navratri festival, Northern Railway’s Jammu Division has announced the attachment of additional sleeper coaches to the Kolkata–Jammu Tawi–Kolkata Express (Train No. 13151/13152).

According to railway officials, this special service will be operational from March 20 to April 02, 2026, aimed specifically at clearing the long waiting lists and reducing congestion in existing carriages. By increasing the train’s carrying capacity, the railway administration expects to provide confirmed berths to an additional 72 to 80 passengers daily, ensuring a smoother transit for devotees during this peak religious period.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Sr. DCM) Uchit Singhal emphasized that the decision was driven by the significant spike in passenger demand typical of the Navratri season.

He noted that the primary goal of the Jammu Division is to offer comfortable and confirmed travel options, adding that the authorities are continuously monitoring waiting list trends to determine if further interventions are required.

Public Relations Inspector Raghvender Singh further advised passengers to verify their current seat status via the official railway website or the 139 helpline.

This proactive measure by the Commercial Department highlights Northern Railway’s commitment to passenger convenience and safety during one of the region’s busiest travel windows.