Will Indian Railways Launch a Special New Year Train Between New Delhi and Katra?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Special train service between New Delhi and Katra during New Year.
- Service runs from December 27, 2025 to January 1, 2026.
- Five trips in each direction to meet passenger demand.
- Stops at key stations to facilitate travel.
- Tickets available online and through authorized agents.
New Delhi, Dec 26 (NationPress) To accommodate the anticipated rise in passenger numbers during the New Year festivities, the Jammu Division of Northern Railway has revealed plans for a special reserved train service connecting New Delhi with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, as reported by officials on Friday.
The special train will operate for five journeys in each direction from December 27, 2025 to January 1, 2026, aimed at easing travel for passengers amidst the holiday rush.
As stated by the Jammu Division of Northern Railway, this initiative comes in response to the heightened travel demand due to New Year celebrations, coupled with an influx of tourists and pilgrims heading towards Jammu and Kashmir.
The introduction of this special train is expected to facilitate smoother travel experiences while also aiding the Railways in effectively managing crowd movements.
The designated Special Reserved Train No. 04081 will depart from New Delhi to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra between December 27 and December 31, 2025.
This train is set to leave New Delhi at 11:45 p.m., arriving at Katra the following day at 12 noon. Along its route, it will make stops at Panipat, Kurukshetra, Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Jalandhar Cantt, Pathankot Cantt, Jammu, and Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan (Udhampur).
In the opposite direction, the Special Reserved Train No. 04082 will travel from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra back to New Delhi from December 28, 2025 to January 1, 2026.
This return train will leave Katra at 9:20 p.m. and reach New Delhi at 10 a.m. the next day, with stops at Udhampur, Jammu, Pathankot Cantt, Jalandhar Cantt, Ludhiana, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra, and Panipat.
According to Uchit Singhal, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Northern Railway's Jammu Division, this special train has been initiated to address the increasing number of tourists and the travel needs of local residents during the festive season.
He emphasized that this service will assist passengers in connecting with their loved ones for New Year celebrations while also alleviating congestion on regular trains.
The special reserved train will be equipped with 16 coaches.
Tickets can be booked via the official Indian Railways website, mobile app, or through authorized booking agents.
Railway officials recommend that passengers verify train schedules and timings prior to their journey.