 Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 31: The Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra remained suspended for the sixth consecutive day on Saturday as restoration work continued on the landslide-hit track in Trikuta Hills, even as Northern Railways arranged special trains to ferry stranded pilgrims from Jammu and Katra.
While regular train services in the Jammu division remained disrupted for the sixth straight day due to misalignment on Bridge-17 between Kathua and Madhopur, Northern Railways announced three special trains from Jammu Station to New Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata to clear passenger rush.
According to officials, Train No. 04674 (Jammu–New Delhi) departed at 6 pm, Train No. 04676 (Jammu–MAS Chennai) at 4 pm, and Train No. 03152 (Jammu–Kolkata) at 2 pm. A total of 51 trains were cancelled on Saturday, with more cancellations lined up for Sunday, including 25 departures from Jammu and 29 incoming services to Jammu, Katra, and Udhampur.
Earlier on Saturday, Railway authorities arranged a special train to facilitate he movement of stranded tourists and passengers from Jammu to other parts of the country.
The special train operated from Jammu to DADN (Mhow), with stops at Ludhiana, New Delhi, Gwalior, and Bhopal.
The train included one coach of First AC, 2 coaches of Second AC, 4 coaches of Third AC, 2 coaches of Third AC Economy, 6 Sleeper Class coaches, and 4 General Class coaches. The special train departed from Jammu at 3:00 PM on Saturday.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) said the Yatra will remain suspended until the route is fully restored and declared safe. The pilgrimage was halted at noon on August 26, following a weather advisory, hours before a cloudburst-triggered landslide killed 34 people and injured 18 others near Indraprastha Bhojanalaya.
Officials said the old ascendancy track, considered one of the safest stretches, was badly damaged in the landslide, and debris clearance is still underway. The Shrine Board reiterated that the pilgrimage will only resume once conditions are secure for devotees. |
