The Centre has approved the operation of a special train between Jammu and Haridwar for devotees travelling on the occasion of Somvati Amavasya on June 14 and 15, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh announced on Tuesday. The proposal was made following a request by Prem Nath Dogra, Jammu and Kashmir State Executive Member and In-Charge of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, who sought a dedicated train service to help pilgrims visit Haridwar in Uttarakhand during the religious occasion.

Expressing his appreciation, Jitendra Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for responding positively to the demand. In a post on X, Singh described the move as “good news” for the people of Kathua, Hiranagar, and Jammu, adding that no major regional demand had remained unaddressed during the past 12 years under the Modi government.

Singh had written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, forwarding Dogra’s request for the special service from Jammu to Haridwar on June 14 and the return journey on June 15 to facilitate pilgrims observing Somvati Amavasya. Indian Railways regularly introduces special trains during festivals and pilgrimage seasons to accommodate increased passenger demand. Recently, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini flagged off a special train from Kurukshetra to Somnath in Gujarat, carrying over 1,100 devotees, while highlighting the role of pilgrimages in promoting social harmony and preserving cultural heritage.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.