National: In the wake of heightened security concerns following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian Railways has proactively arranged special train services to facilitate passenger movement from Jammu and Udhampur towards Delhi, prioritizing the safety and convenience of travelers.
A special train bearing number 04612 is scheduled to depart from Jammu at 10:45 am today. This service will comprise a total of 24 coaches, evenly divided with 12 unreserved coaches to accommodate general category passengers and 12 reserved coaches for those with prior bookings.
Further bolstering connectivity, a dedicated Vande Bharat special train consisting of 20 coaches will commence its journey from Udhampur at 12:45 pm. This premium service will travel via Jammu and Pathankot, significantly enhancing the rail link between the northern regions of Jammu and Kashmir and the national capital. Additionally, a fully reserved train utilizing a modern LHB rake with 22 coaches is slated to depart from Jammu later today at 7:00 pm.
Meanwhile, railway authorities in southern India have intensified security operations at crucial railway stations as a precautionary measure. At Nellore Railway Station in Andhra Pradesh, joint teams comprising the Government Railway Police (GRP), the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and local police units conducted extensive security checks. These comprehensive inspections involved the deployment of the dog squad and bomb detection teams to thoroughly scan the station premises.
Railway DSP Muralidhar stated, “Following the Pahalgam attack, we immediately initiated thorough checks at Nellore Railway Station, acting upon the directives issued by the Director General of Police, Andhra Pradesh, and the Superintendent of Railway Police (SRP) of Guntakal.” He further elaborated on the scale of the operation, noting the involvement of the local inspector, three town inspectors, and approximately 100 personnel from the GRP, RPF, and town police, along with the crucial support of the dog squad and bomb detection (BD) team in meticulously examining the station.
The security measures involved the formation of six dedicated teams that systematically scanned the entirety of the station premises, including all platforms, train coaches, and the parcel office. The security sweeps were not limited to Nellore, as they were extended to neighboring railway stations such as Gudur, Kavali, Ongole, and Chirala. Furthermore, surrounding areas, including hotels, lodges, and bus stands, were also inspected with the active assistance of the local police force.
DSP Muralidhar explicitly confirmed the nature of these operations, stating, “This was a precautionary drill undertaken in response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, aimed at ensuring the safety and security of railway passengers and infrastructure.” Authorities have reassured the public that despite these heightened security measures, there have been no disruptions reported to the regular train services.
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