Northern Railway has announced additional reserved train services between New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to accommodate the expected increase in passenger traffic during the festive season. The special trains will provide another travel option for devotees heading to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, as well as passengers travelling between Delhi, Punjab and Jammu.
According to a report by All India Radio News, the railway will operate Train Nos. 04083 and 04084 on specified dates in October 2026. The services are intended to help manage the seasonal rush and improve travel convenience for passengers.
Check train timings and travel dates
Train No. 04083, the New Delhi–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Festival Special, will depart from New Delhi at 2 pm on October 9 and October 16. It is scheduled to reach Katra at 3 am the following day.
The return service, Train No. 04084, will depart from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 10 am on October 10 and October 17, reaching New Delhi at 11:30 pm on the same day.
The schedule offers an overnight journey from the national capital to Katra and a daytime departure for passengers returning to Delhi.
Train to cover 655 km, with 22 LHB coaches
The festival special will cover approximately 655 km and comprise 22 Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches.
The train will stop at several important stations along the route, including Sonipat, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Ambala Cantt, Dhandari Kalan, Jalandhar Cantt, Pathankot Cantt, Kathua, Jammu Tawi and Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan.
These stoppages provide boarding and alighting options for passengers from Haryana, Punjab and Jammu, including those travelling from the Jalandhar and Pathankot regions.
Another special service to continue in October
Northern Railway is also operating another special service, Train Nos. 04081/04082, on the New Delhi–Katra route. According to the published railway announcement, the service is scheduled to continue until October 26.
The additional trips are part of the railway's arrangements to accommodate increased demand during the festive period, when many passengers travel for religious pilgrimages, family visits and holidays.
Passengers advised to book tickets in advance
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu, Uchit Singhal, said the additional services have been introduced to facilitate devotees travelling to Mata Vaishno Devi during the festive season. Passengers have been advised to plan their journeys in advance and book tickets early.
Travellers should check seat availability, the latest timetable and any operational updates through the official IRCTC website, the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) or railway enquiry number 139 before departure.
The additional services are expected to provide more reserved travel options on the busy New Delhi–Katra route during the festive rush.