JAMMU: The newly created Jammu division of Northern Railway is now functioning as a full-fledged division, with most of its operational and financial systems fully shifted, and it will focus on enhancing passenger amenities, ensuring safety, and increasing freight logistics in the upcoming year, officials said on Saturday.
Railway authorities are optimistic that the Jammu division will continue to strengthen in the coming years through improved passenger services and enhanced freight operations.
“Our four key priorities for the coming year will be enhancement of passenger amenities, ensuring safety and security in train operations, expansion of infrastructure, and an increase in freight loading. We will be undertaking extensive work in all these areas in the coming year,” Divisional Railway Manager Vivek Kumar told reporters here.
Kumar noted that the division, formed during 2025–26 after reorganisation from the Firozpur Division, has made significant progress in a short span of time.
“During the financial year 2025–26, the Jammu Division was established for the first time as a new division under Northern Railway. It has now been reorganised as a full-fledged division. The division is fully carrying out all operations,” he added.
Kumar mentioned that the Indian Railways has achieved a record freight loading of around 1.7 billion tonnes this year, reflecting robust growth in the sector.
Highlighting major developments, Kumar noted that rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir has expanded significantly, with previously unconnected sections now integrated into the main railway network.
“As part of the broader vision of expansion of Indian Railways, our network in Jammu and Kashmir has also expanded significantly. Rail lines that were earlier not connected to the main railway network have now been successfully integrated,” he added.
He outlined major developments, mentioning that on May 25 last year, under the Amrit Bharat Scheme, the newly redeveloped Baijnath-Paprola station in Himachal Pradesh was inaugurated virtually by the prime minister and is now fully operational.
Kumar indicated that the Katra–Banihal section, which includes the iconic Chenab Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge, was dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister in June, thereby enhancing connectivity in the region.
“Two pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains are currently operational between Katra and Srinagar, receiving a positive response from passengers and giving a fillip to tourism and local mobility,” he added.
Kumar highlighted the division’s critical role during emergencies, such as the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year, when special trains were organised for the evacuation of affected individuals.
He also shared that a consignment of cherries was transported from Katra to Chennai in a record time of approximately 30 hours, improving logistics for perishable goods.
During Operation Sindoor, railway services maintained uninterrupted operations, facilitating the movement of defence personnel and the evacuation of civilians, with no trains halted during this period, he said.
Regarding the floods that occurred in August and September, Kumar noted that while railway infrastructure sustained damage, services were restored as quickly as possible to minimise inconvenience to passengers.
Around 3,000 stranded passengers in Katra were evacuated via Udhampur using a combination of buses and trains, he said.
He added that the railways transported nearly 20,000 tonnes of apples from Kashmir to Delhi markets during the disruption of road connectivity, providing crucial support to the local horticulture sector.
On operational aspects, Kumar said the entire accounting system, including salary and billing processes, has been shifted to the Jammu Division, making it administratively self-reliant.
He said that pension disbursements for retired employees will continue to be managed from their parent units, while all new financial and operational activities will now be handled within the division.
Highlighting passenger services, he stated that a special “flood special” train operating between Katra and Srinagar acted as a lifeline during the crisis.
This service has now been extended to Katra, and a daily express train between Katra and Srinagar, equipped with reclining chair car coaches, has been introduced as a permanent fixture, he added.
Kumar mentioned that discussions are ongoing about further expansion of rail sections, although no concrete decisions have been made yet.
He expressed confidence that the Jammu Division will continue to strengthen in the coming years with improved passenger services and enhanced freight operations.
