Northern Railway to resume eight key long-distance trains from Jammu starting October 2

Jammu, September 29: In a major relief for passengers, the Northern Railway has announced the resumption of eight long-distance train services from Jammu station starting October 2, marking a significant step towards restoring full connectivity after heavy rains and floods disrupted the region’s rail network in August. The move comes following extensive repair and safety work on tracks and bridges damaged in the Jammu–Pathankot and Jammu–Katra sections, which had brought train operations to a near halt and stranded hundreds of passengers last month.

Railway officials said the resumption of services is being carried out in a phased manner, with eight trains being restored in the fourth phase following thorough safety inspections and technical reviews. Divisional Railway Manager Vivek Kumar, who has been overseeing the restoration work, said that periodic assessments of the affected sections were conducted before taking the decision. “Train operations in the division are gradually being normalised as technical work on tracks and bridges is completed,” said Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal. He also urged passengers to check the latest schedules and updates through the Northern Railway website and helpline numbers before planning their journeys.

The phased restoration will begin with the Jammu Tawi–Kanpur train on October 2, followed by Jammu Tawi–Barauni and Jammu Tawi–Guwahati on October 3. The Jammu Tawi–Gorakhpur train will resume on October 4, while the Jammu Tawi–Yoga Nagari Rishikesh service is scheduled to restart on October 5. The Jammu Tawi–Bhagalpur train will follow on October 7. Finally, the Jammu–Sealdah and another Jammu–Guwahati service will become operational on October 8, bringing a major portion of long-distance traffic back on track.

The region’s railway services had faced severe disruptions after torrential rains in August caused extensive damage to tracks, bridges, and embankments, forcing the suspension of over 50 trains. The restoration process began earlier this month, with the resumption of local services on the Katra–Jammu, Katra–Budgam, Katra–Banihal, and Katra–Sangaldan routes, along with freight train operations to maintain essential supplies.

Officials described the resumption of these eight long-distance trains as a crucial step in normalising passenger movement ahead of the festive season. They said work on remaining damaged sections is progressing at an accelerated pace to fully restore services in the coming weeks. The move is expected to provide significant relief to thousands of passengers travelling from Jammu to major destinations across India, improving connectivity, boosting tourism, and aiding regional trade that had been affected by the disruptions.