Northern Railway Extends New Delhi-Katra Special Trains to Accommodate Chaitra Navratri Pilgrim Rush

JAMMU, March 13, 2026: In a major effort to streamline travel for devotees during the upcoming Chaitra Navratri festival, the Jammu Division of Northern Railway has officially extended the service of special reserved trains between New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra.

Acknowledging the surge in pilgrims seeking darshan and tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley, authorities have added 14 additional trips to the schedule for Train No. 04081/04082.

Under the new timeline, the New Delhi to Katra service (04081) will operate from March 17 to March 30, while the return leg from Katra to New Delhi (04082) is scheduled from March 18 to March 31, providing a reliable transit option for thousands of travelers.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal noted that the decision was driven by the high popularity of the route, which has consistently maintained 100% occupancy during previous runs.

By extending these services, the railway aims to alleviate the heavy waitlist pressure and ensure a comfortable, stress-free journey for the public during the high-demand festive season.

Passengers are advised to confirm the latest schedules via the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) or by calling 139 to ensure a smooth and well-planned pilgrimage.