Indian Railways has approved critical safety and protection works worth ₹238 crore on the Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section of Northern Railway.
In a statement on Tuesday, 19 May, the Ministry of Railways said the approved works include slope stabilisation, tunnel rehabilitation, treatment of tunnel seepage issues, bridge protection works and other safety interventions at vulnerable locations along the route.
The project is aimed at strengthening the long-term safety and reliability of the strategically important Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section, which serves a large number of passengers, including pilgrims travelling to Katra.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the works reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring safe and reliable connectivity in some of the most challenging terrains of the country.
Vaishnaw said protection and rehabilitation works had been sanctioned after a detailed assessment of cuttings, bridges and tunnels on the section.
He said the measures would strengthen the long-term safety and reliability of the strategically important route.
According to the ministry, the Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section has faced several engineering and operational challenges because of difficult terrain, adverse geological conditions and extreme weather events.
The ministry said Indian Railways has continued to address these challenges through timely execution and resilient infrastructure development.
With the new protection and rehabilitation works sanctioned for the existing infrastructure, the route is expected to become more resilient and better prepared to serve the millions of passengers who travel on it every year.
The approval is significant because slope stability, tunnel seepage control and bridge protection are critical for safe railway operations in hill and mountain sections, where weather and geological conditions can directly affect track and structure safety.
The ministry said the sanctioned works would help provide greater safety and confidence for passengers using the Jammu-Katra rail route.
