New Year Pilgrimage Rush: Railways Launch Special Delhi-Katra Reserve Express to Ease Festive Travel

JAMMU, December 26, 2025: To accommodate the massive influx of tourists and pilgrims heading to the holy shrine for New Year celebrations, Northern Railways has announced the operation of a high-frequency special reserved train connecting New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. Operating from December 27, 2025, to January 1, 2026, the special service aims to manage the holiday surge and provide a seamless travel experience for both devotees and local residents.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal confirmed that the 16-coach reserved train is a strategic response to the heavy rush, ensuring that families can connect and celebrate the festive season without the hurdles of ticket unavailability.The special service consists of two primary routes. Train No. 04081 will depart New Delhi at 11:45 PM daily from December 27 to December 31, arriving at Katra at 12:00 PM the following day. For the return journey, Train No. 04082 will leave Katra at 9:20 PM between December 28 and January 1, reaching the national capital at 10:00 AM. To maximize connectivity, the train will make key stops at major junctions including Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Jalandhar Cantt, Pathankot Cantt, Jammu, and Udhampur (Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan) stations.

Authorities have urged travelers to verify timings via official platforms before beginning their journey. Tickets for these five special trips can be booked through the IRCTC website, mobile app, or authorized booking centers. By introducing these additional 16-coach sets, the Jammu Division of Indian Railways is prioritizing passenger comfort and efficient crowd management, ensuring that the spiritual and festive spirit of the New Year remains uninterrupted by logistical challenges.