JAMMU, Oct 8: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Raman Suri on Thursday welcomed the union government’s and the railways ministry’s decision to run additional festival special trains between New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, saying the move reflects the Centre’s concern for the lakhs of devotees who throng the shrine during the festive season.
“The union government has not only changed the trains and their operations for the convenience of the people, it has also laid special emphasis on ferrying pilgrims to Katra. It is because of this focus that special Vande Bharat trains are being run for devotees,” Suri said. He thanked the railways ministry for taking note of the heavy rush during Navratri and ensuring that travellers, including pilgrims, enjoy safe, smooth and frequent rides.
Under the arrangement, reserved festival special train will make two trips each way between New Delhi and Katra which will come as a ease of travelling for pilgrims, Raman Suri said adding that covering a distance of about 655 kilometres, the train will run with 22 modern LHB coaches which is scheduled to halt at 10 stations including Sonipat, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Ambala Cantt, Dhandari Kalan, Jalandhar Cantt, Pathankot Cantt, Shaheed Captain Sunil Kumar Chaudhary Kathua, Jammu Tawi and Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur. This he said is for the convenience of pilgrims and a highly appreciable step.
He said that in addition, the festival special train will also continue to operate and will serve passengers until 26 October, helping manage the growing crowd of travellers between Delhi, Punjab, Jammu and Katra during the festivals. The BJP leader said that the number of pilgrims rises sharply during festivals, prompting the Railways to run extra trains and appealed to passengers to book tickets well in advance, as demand for railway tickets remains high during festive periods.
Suri said such steps reflect the government’s commitment to “ease of travel” and to the faith and convenience of millions of devotees, adding that the Centre would continue to prioritise safe and comfortable rail travel for pilgrims.