Amritsar, June 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Member of Parliament from Amritsar, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, has welcomed the significant change in the route of the Amritsar-Katra train and expressed his gratitude to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu.
He said that this decision would provide major relief to thousands of devotees and passengers from Amritsar, Batala, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot, while also reducing their travel time.
MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla stated that when the train service was initially launched, he had urged the Railway Minister to route the train via Batala, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot so that people from these regions could directly benefit from the service.
He said that the Ministry of Railways had accepted this demand keeping public convenience in mind, for which he was especially thankful to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu.
Aujla pointed out that earlier, the train used to travel from Amritsar to Pathankot via Jalandhar, resulting in longer travel times for passengers. However, under the new route, the train will now run directly from Amritsar through Batala, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot before reaching Katra. This change will not only save valuable travel time but also provide devotees with a faster and more convenient rail service.
He further said that a large number of devotees from the border areas and the Majha region of Punjab travel to Katra every year to pay obeisance at the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. With the implementation of the new route, residents of Amritsar, Batala, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot will now have access to direct rail connectivity, making their journey more comfortable and hassle-free.
The MP noted that this had been a long-pending demand of the people of the region, which has now been fulfilled by the Central Government and the Ministry of Railways. He expressed confidence that the decision would boost religious tourism and prove beneficial for general passengers as well. He informed that the train would begin operating regularly on its new route from tomorrow.
Describing it as a major gift for the people of the region, he said that issues related to public welfare would continue to be raised on priority so that better facilities could be ensured for the people.
Concluding, MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla once again thanked Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, stating that only through coordinated efforts between public representatives and the government can the needs of the people be effectively addressed.
He added that this decision would undoubtedly save passengers’ time and make the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi more convenient and accessible for devotees.
FOLLOW NOW
