Pathankot-Jogindernagar Trains Resume After Monsoon Break
The scenic narrow-gauge rail route in the Kangra Valley is back in action. Following a two-month suspension necessitated by the monsoon season, the Pathankot-Jogindernagar train services are officially set to resume operations starting Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Safety Inspections Ensure Track Fitness
Northern Railway officials confirmed the restoration of these vital services after conducting rigorous safety trials. To ensure the tracks were fit for passenger travel, comprehensive inspections were carried out on bridges and tracks, specifically focusing on the stretches between Nurpur, Koparlahar, and Jawalamukhi Road.
Reinstated Train Schedule and Routes
Commuters and tourists can look forward to four pairs of trains returning to the tracks. The service distribution is organized as follows:
- Baijnath Paprola to Pathankot: Three pairs of trains will operate on this route.
- Baijnath Paprola to Jogindernagar: One pair of trains will serve this specific stretch.
Daily Timings for Commuters
To help travelers plan their journeys through the hills, the following schedules have been announced:
- Departures from Pathankot:
- The 5:00 AM departure is scheduled to reach Baijnath Paprola at 12:00 PM.
- The 7:00 AM departure is scheduled to reach Baijnath Paprola at 1:40 PM.
- Departures from Baijnath Paprola:
- Return trips to Pathankot are scheduled for 2:15 PM and 3:40 PM.
- A dedicated service to Jawalamukhi Road will depart at 10:00 AM.
Future Outlook: Massive Broad-Gauge Conversion
While the narrow-gauge service returns to normalcy, a much larger transformation is on the horizon for this 170-kilometer line. Northern Railway has completed a field survey for the massive undertaking of converting the entire route into a broad-gauge line.
A Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already been submitted to the Railway Board by the consultancy firm M/s L.A. Malviya Infra Projects Private Limited. The proposed conversion project, estimated at approximately ₹26,638 crore, is designed to revolutionize regional connectivity. Once implemented, the project is expected to provide a significant boost to tourism, trade, and employment opportunities across the Kangra Valley and neighboring hilly regions.