Title - Direct train from Jammu to Chandigarh on cards

Direct train from Jammu to Chandigarh on cards
Jammu: Northern Railway authorities are mulling to start direct train service from Jammu to Chandigarh after the completion of Jammu to Katra railway track.

Highly placed sources informed that the train would chug from Katra to Chandigarh directly with a brief halt at Jammu Tawi railway station.

“We have an exclusive railway track for the purpose but till now there is no direct train service from Jammu to Chandigarh” sources said adding that the service may not prove viable between Jammu and Chandigarh but it would be highly successful after the train reaches Katra.

They said that the new service would ferry passengers directly from Chandigarh to Jammu and Katra and vice-versa. “The train service from Jammu to Chandigarh is likely to start by end of this year as the construction work of Jammu to Katra railway track is in last phase and will be completed end of September this year ” sources said.

When contacted, Northern Railways, CPRO Mannish Tawari said the proposal to start Jammu to Chandigarh trains was under active consideration. He said the service may start by the end of the current financial year or in 2014 in the month of March.

Pertinently, being at a diversion of northern railways from Ambala, Chandigarh is connected to rest of India through Ambala only and there were no direct Chandigarh to Jammu trains.

The passengers have to first to go to Ambala at a distance of 45 kilometers from Chandigarh to catch train for Jammu. As Jammu is on the opposite side, going to Ambala increases the distance and travel time owing to which the people prefer to travel by bus only.