JAMMU: Pilgrims to Vaishno Devi temple and others will soon have a direct access to the famous Vaishno Devi temple with the opening of Katra railway station by June this year.
“The work is fast progressing and the station is expected to be commissioned by next month. However, the station will open for passenger traffic by May-June,” Mr BD Garg, CAO, Northern Railways said yesterday.
At present, the nearest railhead for the shrine is Jammu from where pilgrims have to travel by road to reach Katra, 50 km away. Opening of the Katra railway station will result in a more comfortable and time saving journey for the pilgrims.
Spread across 80 acres with five acres allotted for parking, the station will boast of ‘A’ class facilities for the passengers including an IRCTC Guest House that provides safe, secure, standard and economic accommodation to tourists and passengers.
The facilities include Air-conditioned and non-AC dormitories, deluxe rooms and family rooms.
The tariff includes complimentary breakfast, local pick up and drops from/to Katra bus stand and Banganga, a bottle of packaged drinking water and a cup of tea.
The guest house has a shopping lounge, multi-cuisine food station and is fully secured by CCTV cameras. It has all the facilities of a four star category hotel with the proximity to bus stand, main market, yatra slip counter and helipad.
It comprises 12 double bed rooms including standard and deluxe rooms at Rs 1200 and 1600 respectively providing 24 beds. the 12 family rooms include 3-bed rooms at Rs 999, 4-bed rooms at Rs 2000 and 6-bed rooms at Rs 1800 providing a total 54 beds.
The 43-bed dormitories provide AC accommodation for Rs 300 and non AC facilities for Rs 175. Separate provision has been made for women’s dormitories with full power back up. The guests can book online at www.irctc.co.in and www.railtourismindia.com
