Trains to start chugging on Udhampur-Katra line by March

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 26: Assessing the facilities being provided to passengers at Railway Station Katra, which is likely to be commissioned by March next year, the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Pardeep Gupta asserted that State of art amenities ought to be made available for the convenience of travellers.
Taking stock of the services at Railway Station Katra for the smooth and comfortable journey at a high level meeting convened here today, Mr. Gupta discussed various issues which included shifting of bus stand of Katra, parking of vehicles and other facilities.
Divisional Railway Manager, Firozpur Division Northern Railway, Naresh Chand Goyal informed that Ground Floor at Railway Station Katra would include current reservation, 2nd Class booking, enquiry section, pilgrim guide tourist assistance, VIP lounge, clock room, waiting hall, Book stall, Tea stall, toilet block for ladies & gents and catering area besides first floor accommodate 8 retiring rooms and cafeteria functioning by IRCTC.
He further apprised the Divisional Commissioner about the status of progress on various works at Railway Station Katra and assured that it would be operational by March, 2013. About 14 passenger trains would run between Udhampur-Katra route section which is expected to meet the heavy influx of passengers.
The Div Com directed the Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, to ensure that no illegal construction/ encroachment would erupt nearby Katra Railway Station and construction would be executed strictly according to Katra Master Plan. He stressed upon the traffic authorities to prepare a decongestion plan for smooth regulation of traffic in Katra. The issues relating to proper parking facilities at Railway Station Katra, regular water and power supply and installation of signage on approach road were also discussed threadbare.
Among others, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, Deputy Commissioner Reasi Nirmal Sharma, DIG Traffic Shakeel Beig, DTM Railway R. N. Meena, Director Tourism R. S. Mehta, Deputy Director Information Jammu Jyoti Slathia, Dy CEO SMVDSB Rishpal Singh, SDPO Katra Rajinder Katoch, Town Planner Anil Raina, other senior officers of Railway and other departments were also present in the meeting.