Train to Vaishno Devi base camp by March 2013

Jammu, Nov 26 (IANS) The train to Katra, the base camp of Vaishno Devi shrine that attracts more than 10 million pilgrims every year, will be chugging in March next year, an official said Monday.

Divisional Commissioner Pradeep Gupta made the announcement at a meeting he chaired to review the facilities for the passengers travelling to Katra from different parts of the country, an official spokesman said here late Monday evening.

The work on the Jammu−Udhampur− Katra stretch of the railway line was inaugurated in 1983. The Jammu−Udhampur line was completed and commissioned in 2005.

Divisional Railway Manager (Firozpur Division, Northern Railway) Naresh Chand Goyal said that various works at the Katra Railway Station Katra would be be operational by March 2013.

About 14 passenger trains would run between Udhampur−Katra section which is expected to see a heavy influx of passengers, the spokesman said.

IANS 2012-11-26 23:54:37