Jodhpur to Katra: New Direct Train Service Launched!
Pilgrims traveling from Rajasthan to the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi can now enjoy a seamless journey. The North Western Railway (NWR) has officially commenced a direct train service connecting Jodhpur to Katra, providing much-needed relief to devotees.
No More Changing Trains at Jammu Tawi
The new service is an extension of the existing Sabarmati-Jammu Tawi Express. This strategic move by the Jodhpur division aims to eliminate the hassle of transferring luggage and changing trains at Jammu Tawi, a process that was previously a major inconvenience for many travelers.
"The extension aims to enhance passenger convenience, particularly for elderly travelers, women, and children, by removing the physical burden of transferring luggage at Jammu Tawi." — NWR Chief Public Relations Officer Amit Sudarshan
Train Schedule and Route Details
The service began operations on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with the extension of Train number 19223. The return service (Train number 19224) is scheduled to begin its extended route from Katra on October 20, 2026. The technical details of the service are as follows:
- Train 19223: Departs Jodhpur daily at 7:00 PM and reaches Katra at 6:55 PM the following day.
- Train 19224: Departs Katra daily at 4:50 AM and arrives in Jodhpur at 4:40 AM the next day.
To better serve the region, the train will now provide scheduled stoppages at the following stations:
- Samba
- Bari Brahman
- Shahid Captain Tushar Mahajan
Boosting Pilgrimage Tourism and Festive Safety
Jodhpur Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Anurag Tripathi highlighted that this initiative will strengthen inter-state rail connectivity and significantly promote pilgrimage tourism.
With the upcoming Diwali 2026 and Chhath Puja festivals, the railway administration is staying ahead of the curve to manage the expected surge in passenger volume. A divisional-level war room has been established to oversee operations. According to Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Hitesh Yadav, staff have been deployed at sensitive stations, and real-time crowd monitoring is being conducted via CCTV to ensure maximum safety during the peak festive rush.