SRINAGAR, July 23, 2026 — In response to a heavy passenger rush triggered by traffic restrictions and slow vehicle movement along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, Indian Railways has announced the operation of a special 8-car MEMU train to assist stranded travelers.
Following an official request from the Commercial Control unit in Jammu (Message No. 489/CCNL/JAT/2026), the outward service is scheduled to depart Srinagar today, July 23, at 5:00 PM (17:00 hrs), halting briefly at Banihal from 6:20 PM to 6:30 PM, before reaching Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 8:15 PM (20:15 hrs).
On its return journey tomorrow, July 24, the special service will depart Katra at 8:45 AM (08:45 hrs), stop at Banihal between 10:40 AM and 10:50 AM, and arrive back in Srinagar by 11:50 AM (11:50 hrs).
Railway authorities emphasized that the service will operate strictly non-stop between Banihal (BAHL) and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) in both directions to ensure rapid and uninterrupted transit.