Kerala to Kashmir by Himsagar Express. Ep-8: Bharoli Jn to Jammu Tawi & Udhampur over the N. Rly.

Date-4-03-2024.
From New Delhi, the 16317 Himsagar Express embarks on a journey that highlights the intricate railway network of northern India. Departing from New Delhi, it switches onto the Bathinda-bound Mainline via Rohtak, Jind, and Narwana, a route that historically connected Delhi to Lahore via Ferozepore Cant Jn during the British era and also provided a through link to South Punjab's Bahawalpur province, now part of Pakistan. From Jakhal Jn, the train diverges onto the branch line towards Dhuri Jn, then Malerkotla and Ahmedgarh, before rejoining the Grand Trunk Line at Ludhiana Jn. Continuing on the Grand Trunk Line, it reaches Jalandhar Cant Jn, where it joins the Mukeria branch line towards Pathankot.
As dawn broke, the chilly air enveloped me as I stood at the gate, preparing for the final stretch of my journey. After departing from Pathankot Cantt station, the train bypasses Pathankot Jn station and heads towards Bharoli Jn, proceeding along the Jammu line. Crossing the Ravi River after departing from Madhopur Punjab station, the train enters Jammu and Kashmir, where mobile signals cease unless subscribed to the J&K dominion. The journey is a blissful one, enveloped in pristine greenery, especially after leaving Jalandhar Cant. Snow-capped mountains intermittently grace the landscape during the stretch from Pathankot to Jammu, adding to the scenic charm of the journey.
Throwback to history...
The branch line from Jalandhar was known as the Mukeria branch, terminating at Mukeria station with no through rail passage to Pathankot beyond it. The rail route to Pathankot from Amritsar necessitated traversing a branch line via Gurdaspur. In British times, Amritsar was connected to Jammu either via the Lahore-Wazirabad Grand Trunk line and the Wazirabad-Sialkot-Jammu (Tawi) branch line, or through Fatehgarh Churian, crossing the Ravi River towards Jassar Junction (present-day Pakistan), and further connecting with Narowal Junction and Sialkot branches. However, post-partition, rail links from Punjab to Jammu were severed as both routes to Jammu, via Lahore Junction and via Narowal-Sialkot branches, traversed newly formed Pakistan.
To address this, Northern Railway extended the Mukeria branch line towards Pathankot Junction and laid a new broad-gauge track from Pathankot Junction to Jammu Tawi. A new Jammu Tawi station was constructed, rendering the old Jammu station, which once facilitated through trains to Wazirabad Junction via Sialkot before joining the Grand Trunk line towards Lahore Junction in the south and Peshawar in the north, abandoned. This linked both the Pathankot and Jammu lines with Delhi via the Mukerian branch extension, eliminating the detour through the Amritsar GT line and Gurdaspur branch.
As our train, the 16317 Himsagar Express, departs from Samba station, it crosses the Basantar bridge over the Basantar River, a notable site during the 1971 war in the Shakargarh sector. Shortly after, we arrive at Jammu station, where our train has a brief halt before continuing towards its final destination, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. The scenery unfolds soon after departing from Jammu Tawi station, presenting an absolute bliss of landscapes. Passing through Jammu city, the tranquil Tawi river accompanies the train, weaving in and out of tunnels, crossing suspension bridges, and meandering past barley fields, meadows with grazing horses, waterfalls, and small brooks. Under a clear blue sky, the journey is exhilarating, with the temperature dropping further into chilling winter. Fleeting glimpses of the snow-clad peaks of the Pir Panjal range adorn the horizon.
During the one-and-a-half-hour journey, the only signs of activity are the picturesque stations at Bajalta, Sangar, Manwal, Ramnagar, and Udhampur. Episode 8 concludes here at Udhampur. Heartfelt thanks for watching, but do stay tuned for the final episode of this remarkable train journey on the Himsagar Express, as we reach its last stop on the up journey at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station. Stay tuned.

[@rajveersinghchopra1689]

Ye train bhi srinagar taq agy le jayghi.

[@abhikalia4707]

Ji, yeh train bhi extend kari jaayegi. Shayad Budgam tak chale yeh train.

[@rajveersinghchopra1689]

@@abhikalia4707 thanku dr......