Indian Railways Sanctions ₹238 Crore Safety Upgrade for Jammu–Katra Rail Section
By Suman Munshi, Chief Editor, IBG NEWS
Inputs from PIB Delhi
New Delhi, May 19: Indian Railways has approved a major infrastructure safety and rehabilitation package worth ₹238 crore for the strategically significant Jammu–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway section under Northern Railway.
The sanctioned works will focus on critical slope stabilisation, tunnel rehabilitation, bridge protection measures, seepage treatment inside tunnels, and other safety interventions at vulnerable points along the route.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring safe and reliable rail connectivity in some of the country’s most challenging terrains.
According to the Railway Ministry, the Jammu–Katra section has long faced engineering and operational difficulties due to mountainous terrain, unstable geological conditions, heavy rainfall, and extreme weather events. Following a comprehensive technical assessment of bridges, tunnels, and cutting zones, Indian Railways approved extensive protection and rehabilitation works to strengthen the route’s long-term operational safety.
Officials stated that the newly sanctioned measures are aimed at enhancing the resilience of the railway infrastructure and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for millions of pilgrims and passengers travelling annually to the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
The Jammu–Katra rail corridor is considered strategically and economically important, not only for pilgrimage tourism but also for improving connectivity in the Jammu region. Indian Railways said the latest rehabilitation and protection measures will significantly improve reliability and passenger confidence on the route.
The ministry added that Indian Railways has consistently addressed infrastructure challenges in the region through timely engineering interventions and resilient construction practices, despite the difficult Himalayan terrain.
