Jammu, Dec 9: Northern Railways’ Jammu division is stepping in with emergency Vande Bharat services on the New Delhi-Udhampur route for three consecutive days from December 12, offering relief to thousands of passengers grounded by widespread IndiGo flight cancellations at Jammu and Srinagar airports.
Stranded travelers have faced mounting frustration at both airports, with chaotic scenes unfolding as protests erupted over repeated disruptions. In response, railway authorities have fast-tracked premium high-speed trains to bridge the gap and ensure seamless connectivity during this crisis.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal explained that these special runs—Train No. 02439 (New Delhi to Udhampur) and Train No. 02440 (Udhampur to New Delhi)—will each make three round trips between December 12 and 14. “Operating in emergency scenarios is standard practice for passenger safety and convenience, especially amid surging demand from flight disruptions,” Singhal noted.
The outbound Train 02439 departs New Delhi at 6:00 AM, reaching Udhampur by 2:00 PM with scheduled stops at key stations including Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Pathankot Cantt, and Jammu Tawi. The return Train 02440 leaves Udhampur at 3:00 PM, pulling into New Delhi at 11:00 PM. Each service features 20 air-conditioned coaches for comfort on the 650-km journey.
“This initiative guarantees timely travel without further delays, providing a reliable and budget-friendly alternative,” Singhal emphasized. Passengers must verify timings and availability via the official Indian Railways website or NTES app to avoid last-minute issues.
The move highlights railways’ pivotal role in national mobility, particularly when air travel falters
es were cancelled, triggering protests by stranded passengers.
“Jammu Division operates special trains in emergency situations for the convenience and safety of passengers. Currently, due to increasing number of passengers caused by frequent flight cancellations, the division has decided to operate a special Vande Bharat train between New Delhi and Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan (Udhampur),” Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said.
The special trains — 02439 New Delhi-Udhampur Vande Bharat, and 02440 Udhampur-New Delhi Vande Bharat — with three trips in each direction between December 12 and 14, aims to provide a safe and affordable travel option for stranded passengers.
“This will ensure passengers reach their destinations on time and their travel plans are not disrupted,” Singhal added.
Train No 02439 will depart from New Delhi at 6:00 am and arrive at Udhampur at 2:00 pm, halting at Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Pathankot Cantt and Jammu Tawi, among other stations.
Train No 02440 will depart from Udhampur at 3:00 pm and arrive in New Delhi at 11:00 pm.
Singhal said the special Vande Bharat will operate with 20 coaches. “Passengers are advised to check authentic train information through the official Indian Railways website or the NTES (National Train Enquiry System) app before commencing their journey,” he added.
