Stories
Navratri Rush: Trains to Vaishno Devi, Himachal Full; Tatkal Tickets Only Hope.
- •Shardiya Navratri begins October 11, causing a massive rush on trains to Mata Vaishno Devi and Himachal Pradesh temples.
- •Trains from Gwalior to Jammu and Katra are fully booked, with many showing a 'No Room' status.
- •Seats from Sleeper to Third AC are full, making Tatkal tickets the only remaining option for travelers.
- •On October 11, Himsagar Express shows 'No Room,' and Jhelam Express has a long waiting list.
- •Passengers urge railway administration to add extra coaches or run special Puja trains for the festive season.
Key Questions Answered
The auspicious Shardiya Navratri festival starting on October 11 has caused a massive influx of devotees traveling to Mata Vaishno Devi and Himachal Pradesh temples, overwhelming regular train capacity from Gwalior and surrounding regions to Jammu and Katra and resulting in fully booked or closed reservations.
For passengers who did not book reservations well in advance, securing a confirmed berth is nearly impossible, making the Tatkal Quota the only remaining option for devotees undertaking this religious journey.
On October 11, the first day of Navratri, the Himsagar Express to Jammu shows a No Room status across all coaches including sleeper, while the Jhelam Express has heavy waiting lists of 30 passengers in sleeper and 116 in third AC class.
