Examiner Bureau | Jammu:
Railway Division of Northern Railway has restored direct train connectivity between Budgam in Kashmir Valley and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, providing renewed rail access between Kashmir and the Jammu region from Saturday.
According to the Public Relations Inspector (PRI) of the Jammu Railway Division, Train Nos. 04688/04687 on the Budgam–Katra route have been restored with effect from August 29, 2026.
As per the revised schedule, Train No. 04688 will depart from Budgam Railway Station at 7:20 am and arrive at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station at 1:00 pm.
The return service, Train No. 04687, will depart from Katra at 1:45 pm and reach Budgam at 8:00 pm.
The restoration of the direct service is expected to provide greater convenience to passengers travelling between the Kashmir Valley and Jammu, including devotees visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
The service is also expected to benefit residents, students and employees who regularly travel between the two regions, strengthening rail connectivity and facilitating smoother inter-regional movement.
Railway authorities have advised passengers to verify the operational status and latest timings of the service before commencing their journey through the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) mobile application, the official Indian Railways website or the railway helpline 139.
