Indian Railways extends Sabarmati Jammu Tawi Express to Katra and announces major traffic blocks
The Indian Railways has unveiled a major operational update that brings good news for pilgrims traveling to the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi, alongside necessary infrastructure adjustments in the West Central Railway zone. The Sabarmati-Jammu Tawi Express is being extended to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, while the Bina yard remodeling work will necessitate significant train cancellations and diversions in September and October 2026.
- Train 19223 (Sabarmati-Katra) begins its extended run on October 18, 2026.
- Train 19224 (Katra-Sabarmati) begins its return journey on October 20, 2026.
- Train 19415 from Sabarmati to Katra commences its service on October 25, 2026.
- Bina yard remodeling will cause 63 days of operational changes between September 20 and October 16, 2026.
- 16 trains are fully cancelled, while 48 trains will be diverted via the Guna-Gwalior-Itawa-Govindpuri route.
Extension to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra
In a move to improve connectivity for pilgrims, the Sabarmati-Jammu Tawi Express will now terminate at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SMVD Katra). According to North Western Railway CPRO Amit Sudarshan, the revised schedule will officially come into effect from October 19, 2026. Passengers should note that the extended service will include convenient stoppages at Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan station (Udhampur) and Samba. Travelers are strongly encouraged to check the IRCTC website or mobile app for the most accurate booking status before planning their journey.
Traffic Disruptions Due to Bina Yard Remodeling
The West Central Railway is undertaking critical infrastructure work involving the connection of the Agasod-Bina third rail line. This construction is divided into three phases: pre-NI (August 14 to October 12) and NI (October 13 to October 15). Consequently, widespread service disruptions are expected.
Key cancellations include the Bhopal-Gwalior Express (12197/12198) from October 1 to 15, and the Gwalior-SMVT Bengaluru Express (11086/11085) on specific dates in October. Several local passenger services, including the Lalitpur-Bina, Bina-Ruthiyai-Bina, and Bina-Katni Mudwara lines, will also remain suspended for various periods between September 20 and 26. Furthermore, 48 long-distance trains, including the Ahmedabad-Darbhanga and Gorakhpur-Okha expresses, will be diverted via the Guna-Gwalior-Itawa-Govindpuri route. Passengers are requested to verify their train status through official railway channels to avoid last-minute inconvenience.