Indian Railways (IR) has approved 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 Rs 2,380 mn. The sanction covers protection and rehabilitation interventions at vulnerable locations along the route to address structural and safety concerns. The project was authorised by the central government to strengthen long-term operational reliability on the strategically important section.

Approved works include slope stabilisation measures, rehabilitation of tunnels, treatment of tunnel seepage issues and protection works for bridges, together with other related safety interventions. Each element is intended to mitigate identified risks on cuts, bridges and tunnels and to enhance the durability of existing infrastructure. The interventions will be prioritised at sites assessed as most susceptible to erosion, seepage and structural distress.

The Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said the works reflected the Government's commitment to safe and reliable connectivity in challenging terrain and noted that the measures followed a detailed assessment of cuttings, bridges and tunnels. He indicated that protection and rehabilitation works had been sanctioned to boost long-term safety and reliability. The ministry has underlined the strategic significance of ensuring uninterrupted connectivity on this route.

The section has faced engineering and operational challenges due to difficult terrain, adverse geological conditions and extreme weather events, which have in the past affected services and infrastructure. IR has pursued timely execution and resilient infrastructure development to overcome such challenges and will monitor the implementation closely. With the sanctioned protection and rehabilitation plan, the route is expected to become more resilient and better able to serve the millions who travel it each year with greater safety and confidence.