Pilgrimage tourism in Jammu region has got yet another shot in its arm as the Northern Railways has introduced three special trains from New Delhi to Katra, catering to the expected surge of pilgrims visiting the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine during the summer holidays.
These trains will operate from June 2 to July 30 for the convenience of devotees.
The train offers amenities such as AC coaches and stops at various stations including Sonepat, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Jammu Tawi, and Udhampur.
To ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has taken comprehensive measures. These include managing crowd movement, enhancing holding areas along the track and in Katra town, and developing plans for decongestion, particularly in the Bhawan area. The board has also installed over 700 CCTV cameras for constant surveillance, enhancing safety and security.
With the pilgrimage attracting daily footfall of 35,000 to 40,000 pilgrims on weekdays and even higher numbers on weekends, the introduction of these special summer trains aims to alleviate the travel burden and offer a more convenient journey for devotees.
After the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, the government has taken multiple steps to promote pilgrimage tourism in the Jammu region.
Besides improving facilities at Shri Mata Vasihno Devi shrine the important religious places like Purmandal, Utterbehani, Mansar-Surinsar and Shiv Khori have been connected through a common religious tourism circuit.
These religious sites carved for attention for 70-long years as the Kashmir based politicians, who ruled J&K till 2018, didn’t take much interest in turning Jammu into a pilgrimage tourist destination. For them Jammu was a transit point where tourists could stay for one night and then proceed to Kashmir.
However, under the dynamic leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Jammu has turned into a vibrant tourist destination. The administration has been working hard to make tourism thrive in the Jammu region.
Northern Railways announcing special trains during the summer holidays is a welcome gesture and would go a long way in keeping Jammu abuzz with devotees and tourists in coming months.
As the summer season unfolds, these trains serve as a testament to the concerted efforts made to ensure a smooth and enjoyable pilgrimage experience for all. |
