RailEnquiry

Jammu: The Katra railway station would be operational by March next year helping connect the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Trikuta hills to other parts of the state."Railway station Katra would be made operational by March 2013", Naresh Chand Goyal, Divisional Railway Manager, Firozpur Division Northern Railway informed in a meeting.      Around 14 passenger trains would run on the Udhampur-Katra route which is expected to meet the heavy influx of passengers, he added.Goyal informed that the Ground Floor at Railway Station Katra would include current reservation, IInd Class booking, enquiry section, pilgrim guide tourist assistance, VIP lounge, Cloak Room, waiting hall, book stall, tea stall, toilet blocks and catering area and the first floor would accommodate 8 retiring rooms and a cafeteria.Taking stock of the services at Railway Station Katra for a smooth and comfortable journey, various issues were discussed, which included shifting of bus stand of Katra, parking of vehicles and other facilities.The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pradeep Gupta directed the Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, to ensure that no illegal construction and encroachment would erupt nearby Katra Railway Station and construction would be executed strictly according to Katra Master Plan.He stressed on the traffic authorities to prepare a decongestion plan for smooth regulation of traffic in Katra.

Issues of proper parking facilities at Railway Station Katra, regular water and power supply matters were also discussed in the meeting.