Major trains cancelled amid Jammu Rly Stn revamp

Srinagar, Jan 17: The redevelopment of Jammu Tawi Railway Station has led to the cancellation and rescheduling of several major trains, causing significant disruption to the travel plans of thousands of passengers, including pilgrims heading to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
The extensive redevelopment project, which aims to modernize the station and expand its infrastructure, is expected to last until March, leaving travelers frustrated and stranded.
Northern Railway Spokesman said that 65 trains traveling to and from Jammu will remain cancelled for various periods, while an additional 25 trains will be short-terminated or rescheduled.
“Among the key affected services are the Vande Bharat train between New Delhi and Katra, the Shalimar Express between Jammu and Barmer, and other major trains connecting cities like Patna, Indore, and Guwahati,” he said.
He further said that the redevelopment involves essential work such as Pre Non-Interlocking (PNI) and Non-Interlocking (NI) processes that require a temporary halt of certain services.
“This is part of ensuring that the project’s timelines are met. The station’s modernization aims to add four new platforms, taking the total from three to seven, alongside new washing pits and improved line capacity,” the spokesman added.
However, this large-scale construction work has created considerable difficulties for passengers. Many travelers are being left stranded or forced to find alternative, overcrowded transportation.
Sunita Devi, a pilgrim traveling to Katra, told Rising Kashmir that she has been coming to Jammu for the last five years for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, but this year has been the worst.
“We had no idea about these cancellations until we reached the station. Now, we are stuck with no clarity on when the next available train will be,” Sunita said.
The cancellation of key trains, including the Durg Express to Udhampur and the Sealdah-Jammu Tawi Humsafar Express, has left many passengers scrambling to find alternative routes.
Shakeel Ahmad, a local from Ganderbal Kashmir, who was scheduled to leave Mumbai on Friday, where he found that tickets of his family has been cancelled after reaching Jammu Tawi.
“There was no communication. I will now travel by bus to New Dehli and then plan for Mumbai accordingly. There should been alternative arrangements,” he added.
Ajay Singh, another traveler, said, “No one informed us about the cancellations beforehand. We spent hours at the station, only to learn that our train was cancelled for the next month.
“Now we are left trying to figure out how to get home.” The lack of proper communication and the absence of alternative travel options has further exacerbated the situation,” he added.
Meanwhile, local traders in Jammu, particularly those near the station, have also voiced their concerns over the disruption.
“This is our peak season. Pilgrims traveling to Vaishno Devi bring business to our shops, but now with so many trains cancelled, we are seeing fewer customers,” said Pankaj Verma, a local dry fruit seller at the station.
“We rely on the foot traffic from train passengers, and it has been severely affected,” he added.
While authorities have advised travellers to check the latest updates through railway announcements or online sources, the widespread cancellations have resulted in significant inconvenience, particularly for those traveling to religious destinations like Vaishno Devi.
Another railway official said that redevelopment of Jammu includes modernized facilities, including increased line capacity, enhanced cleanliness with washable aprons, and better departure and arrival facilities.
“We hope that the improvements will eventually lead to a better overall experience for travellers. The redevelopment project is essential for the long-term development of the station,” he added.