The prolonged suspension of 22 trains by Northern Railway until early 2026, along with the partial termination of several others, has cast a long shadow over the lives and livelihoods of people in Jammu and Katra. For regions that depend so deeply on rail connectivity for travel, trade, and tourism, this disruption is more than an inconvenience, it has become a test of endurance, patience, and resilience. What began as a natural calamity has evolved into a prolonged struggle for normalcy, exposing the fragility of infrastructure and the pressing need for long-term planning and disaster preparedness.
The floods that swept through parts of Jammu earlier this year severely damaged several key bridges along the Jammu–Pathankot route. Bridge No. 17 between Kathua and Madhopur, Bridge No. 137 between Ghagwal and Hiranagar, Bridge No. 163 between Udhampur and Chak Rakwal, and Bridge No. 232 near Pathankot suffered extensive structural erosion. Embankments were washed away, tracks damaged, and signalling systems rendered useless. For weeks, train operations came to a standstill. While limited restoration has taken place, the deep structural damage has made a full recovery slow and challenging. The continued suspension has left thousands of passengers stranded and the regional economy struggling to regain balance. The timing of this disruption has added to the distress. The Jammu–Lakhanpur highway, already burdened with traffic diversions due to ongoing construction, has become a chaotic alternative. Long queues, damaged road surfaces, and frequent traffic jams have made travel exhausting and uncertain. For the millions of devotees visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra each year, train travel is the most convenient and affordable means of reaching their destination. The suspension of services has therefore deeply affected not only pilgrimage but also the livelihoods that depend on it. The economic ripple effect has been hard to ignore. Hotels, lodges, transport operators, and small businesses in Katra have all seen a significant decline in income. Jammu city, often the gateway for both pilgrims and traders, is witnessing reduced market activity, lower occupancy in hotels, and a general slowdown in commerce. Transporting goods has become costlier and more time-consuming, affecting local industries and traders who depend on the timely movement of supplies and exports. Every delay in transport now translates into losses, both financial and emotional, as uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on the region. For local residents, this is not merely about disrupted travel; it is about disrupted lives. Students are missing important opportunities, patients are facing delays in medical treatments, and families are struggling to attend social or professional commitments. The few operational trains are overcrowded, and road travel has become both expensive and unreliable. For ordinary citizens, this has turned into a daily challenge, one that is slowly eroding faith in the system’s ability to respond swiftly to crises. While the Railways face a monumental task in restoring multiple damaged bridges across a complex terrain, the timeline extending up to 2026 raises valid concerns. It suggests that the problem lies not only in the magnitude of damage but also in systemic inefficiencies and delayed preventive action. Several of these bridges, particularly near Chakki Bank, had shown signs of weakening long before the floods, yet timely repairs were not undertaken. The result is a crisis that could have been mitigated with better foresight and maintenance. The situation underscores an urgent need for a proactive and resilient approach to infrastructure management. Climate change has made extreme weather events more frequent and unpredictable, and regions like Jammu and Katra can no longer afford to rely on reactive responses. Regular structural audits, the use of modern monitoring technologies, and coordination between engineering, disaster management, and meteorological departments are essential to ensure early detection and timely repairs. The Railways must also expedite ongoing repair works through better coordination and resource mobilisation. Deploying additional technical teams, improving communication with the public, and setting realistic timelines with visible progress will help restore confidence. A focused plan for alternative routes and temporary arrangements could provide much-needed relief to travellers and traders in the interim.
The crisis should serve as a learning moment, reminding policymakers that infrastructure is not just about construction but about continuity. The people of Jammu and Katra have shown remarkable resilience in the face of hardship, but resilience should not be mistaken for acceptance. They deserve systems that can withstand both nature’s fury and administrative delays. The recovery of rail services must therefore be more than a restoration project, it should mark the beginning of a stronger, safer, and more responsive transport network. When trains finally return to full operation, they should carry not just passengers and goods, but renewed hope in the promise of progress built with care, foresight, and accountability.