CTTIK Urges Urgent Railway Restoration as Vaishnodevi Pilgrims Face Travel Chaos

SRINAGAR: The Chamber of Tourism, Trade and Industry Katra (CTTIK) has voiced deep concern over the continuing disruption of train services in the Jammu region, warning that the prolonged inaction of Indian Railways in restoring the damaged network is causing severe hardship to Vaishnodevi pilgrims and inflicting heavy losses on the local tourism economy.

The railway network in parts of Jammu suffered extensive damage following continuous rains and water-logging in August. However, even after two months, restoration work remains incomplete, leaving key routes partially or completely non-operational.

Thousands of pilgrims who had booked train tickets for September and October reportedly saw their journeys cancelled at the last minute, while cancellations and delays for November have already begun to mirror the same pattern. The situation has left devotees uncertain about their pilgrimage plans, with CTTIK saying that even special train permissions for yatri groups are not being considered by the authorities.

“The lacklustre approach of Indian Railways has created immense inconvenience and financial distress for both pilgrims and the local business community,” CTTIK said in a statement. It added that the disruption, delay, and short termination of train services have dealt a major blow to the fragile tourism ecosystem that sustains the region.

CTTIK President Raj Kumar Padha said the Jammu division’s business community—particularly in Katra—is facing “multiple setbacks in quick succession.” He noted that the sector had not yet recovered from the impact of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor, when the torrential rains in August dealt another severe blow. “Now, the prolonged disruption of train services has pushed the tourism and hospitality industry to the edge,” he said.

Over 80 per cent of Vaishnodevi pilgrims travel to Katra by train, making railway connectivity a critical factor in sustaining the pilgrimage economy. The chamber warned that the continued delay in restoration was hurting hotels, guest houses, traders, transporters, and hundreds of ancillary businesses directly dependent on the steady inflow of devotees.

Padha appealed to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma, and MLA Baldev Raj Sharma to intervene and ensure that the repair and restoration of the damaged railway infrastructure are undertaken on a “war footing.”

“Immediate action will not only relieve the hardships of Vaishnodevi pilgrims but also provide much-needed breathing space to the struggling tourism and business community of Jammu,” Padha said.

The CTTIK has urged authorities to prioritise the reopening of key sections of the railway line and resume special train services for yatri groups to prevent further erosion of confidence among pilgrims and local stakeholders.