The Railway Ministry has announced that trains on the Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow-gauge line will not operate every Friday. This decision was taken to carry out essential maintenance and safety work on the heritage track. The move comes shortly after services resumed on June 2, 2026, following a long gap caused by the damage to the Chakki River bridge.
Why are trains suspended every Friday?
Railway officials from the Jammu Division stated that the line passes through difficult hilly areas with many tunnels and bridges. Regular maintenance is necessary to keep the century-old track safe for passengers. Dedicated Friday closures will allow the technical team to perform detailed inspections and repairs without disrupting daily traffic from Saturday to Thursday.
Which trains are affected and what is the schedule?
The Friday suspension affects all services on this section, including two pairs of trains operating between Nurpur Road and Baijnath. For the rest of the week, two pairs of trains will continue to run daily between Pathankot and Jogindernagar. The restoration of this link was made possible after the reconstruction of the Chakki River bridge at a cost of approximately ₹70 crore.
What is the reaction from passengers and committees?
Daily commuters, students, and office workers have expressed dissatisfaction over the weekly closure. P. C. Vishwakarma, President of the Kangra Valley Railway Struggle Committee, mentioned that the service is not fully restored. The committee believes full restoration will only happen when all seven trains that operated before the 2022 floods are brought back into service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why was the Pathankot-Jogindernagar line closed for four years?
The services were suspended after the Chakki River railway bridge was severely damaged by floods in August 2022. The line resumed on June 2, 2026, after the bridge was rebuilt for ₹70 crore.
On which days will the trains operate now?
Trains will operate from Saturday to Thursday. Every Friday will be reserved for maintenance and safety work, meaning no trains will run on that day.