Date: 2026-05-19Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Indian Railways Approves Critical Slope Stabilisation, Tunnel Rehabilitation and Bridge Protection Works on Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Section Worth ₹238 Crore
**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned infrastructure projects worth ₹238 crore to enhance the safety and reliability of the Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section. Announced on May 19, 2026, the initiative targets vulnerable locations within the Northern Railway to mitigate risks from difficult terrain and extreme weather. These works aim to provide long-term resilience for this strategically significant route used by millions of annual travelers.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Project Scope and Funding**
* A total investment of ₹238 crore has been approved for the Northern Railway.
* The project specifically targets the Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section.
**Technical Improvements and Interventions**
* Execution of critical slope stabilization and general rehabilitation measures.
* Specialized treatment for tunnel seepage issues.
* Implementation of bridge protection works at various locations.
* Safety interventions focused on vulnerable points identified through detailed assessments of cuttings, bridges, and tunnels.
**Operational and Strategic Goals**
* Strengthening the long-term safety and reliability of a strategically important section.
* Increasing infrastructure resilience against adverse geological conditions and extreme weather events.
* Fulfilling the government’s commitment to providing safe connectivity in challenging terrains.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Railways**
**Impact**
The organization will strengthen its infrastructure through a detailed assessment-led approach, allowing it to overcome persistent engineering and operational challenges.
**Action Required**
Proceed with the execution of the sanctioned protection and rehabilitation works at the identified vulnerable locations.
**Passengers / Travelers**
**Impact**
The millions of people who travel this route annually will benefit from increased safety and greater confidence in the reliability of the rail link.
**Action Required**
No specific action is required from this group; they are the primary beneficiaries of the improved infrastructure.
Key Entities Referenced
Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Section: The strategically important railway route in Jammu and Kashmir where ₹238 crore infrastructure safety and rehabilitation works have been sanctioned.
Ministry of Railways: The central authority responsible for approving the critical slope stabilisation, tunnel rehabilitation, and bridge protection works.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: Union Minister for Railways who sanctioned the safety interventions and stated the project's importance for reliable connectivity in challenging terrains.
Northern Railway: The specific railway zone under whose jurisdiction the Jammu-Katra section operates and where the infrastructure works will be executed.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways Approves Critical Slope
Stabilisation, Tunnel Rehabilitation and Bridge
Protection Works on Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno
Devi Katra Section Worth ₹238 Crore
Project to Strengthen Long-Term Safety and Reliability of
Strategically Important Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra
Section: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Posted On: 19 MAY 2026 11:36AM by PIB Delhi
Indian Railways has approved the critical slope stabilisation, tunnel rehabilitation and bridge protection
works on the Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section of Northern Railway at a cost of ₹238 crore.
The approved works include slope stabilisation, rehabilitation measures, treatment of tunnel seepage
issues, bridge protection works, and other related safety interventions at vulnerable locations along the
Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra route.
The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, has said that these works reflect the
Government's commitment to ensuring safe and reliable connectivity in the most challenging terrains of
the country. Shri Vaishnaw said that following a detailed assessment of cuttings, bridges and tunnels,
protection and rehabilitation works have been sanctioned. He said these works will strengthen the long-
term safety and reliability of this strategically important section.
The section has faced several engineering and operational challenges due to difficult terrain, adverse
geological conditions, and extreme weather events. However, Indian Railways has consistently
overcome these challenges through timely execution and resilient infrastructure development. With the
sanctioning of new protection and rehabilitation works for the existing infrastructure, the route is set to
become more resilient than ever, ready to serve the millions who travel it each year with greater safety
and confidence.
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Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Ritu Raj/ Manik Sharma
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