Railway to run special reserved trains between Katra and Srinagar next week
Jammu (PTI): With recent heavy snowfall disrupting road and air traffic, Northern Railway’s Jammu division has decided to run special reserved trains between SMVD Katra to Srinagar next week to provide relief to the stranded passengers, officials said on Sunday.
The decision to operate special reserved train between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Katra and Srinagar on January 27 and 28 was taken under the directions of Divisional Railway Manager (Jammu) Vivek Kumar, the officials said.
They said the trains were planned keeping in mind the convenience of passengers and the absence of Vande Bharat trains on January 27 and 28.
While Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only all weather road linking Kashmir with rest of the country, was partially opened on Sunday after remaining closed over the past two days owing to heavy snowfall in Banihal sector on Friday, flight operations also witnessed disruptions in the snow-bound Kashmir.
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The weather department has also predicted snowfall in most parts of Kashmir and higher reaches of Jammu from January 26 till January 27 evening.
The officials said the special reserved train will depart on January 27 from SMVD Katra at 8.10 am and arrive at Srinagar at 11 am, with a stop at Banihal Railway Station enroute. On its return journey, the train will depart from Srinagar at 2 pm on the same day and arrive at SMVD Katra at 5 pm with same stoppages enroute.
Similarly, the special reserved train will depart from SMVD Katra at 10.30 am on January 28 and arrive at its destination at 1.30 pm, making a stop at Banihal railway station enroute.
On its return journey, special reserved train number 04630 will depart from Srinagar at 3 pm on the same day and arrive at SMVD Katra at 6 pm. The stops along the route will remain the same, the officials said.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Jammu, Uchit Singhal said the decision to operate this special reserved train has been taken in view of the heavy rain and snowfall warning issued by the Meteorological Department for Jammu and Kashmir on January 27 and 28.
“Earlier, on January 23, flight and road traffic were affected due to snowfall. Following this, stranded passengers were transported from Srinagar to Katra by the Vande Bharat train.
"Considering these circumstances and as an alternative to the Vande Bharat train, this special reserved train is being operated to provide passengers with a suitable option for travel to and from Kashmir,” he said.
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KMES Institutions shine in SSLC result, continue four-decade legacy of education in rural Karkala
Karkala: KMES Institutions of Education at Kukkundooru in Karkala taluk has recorded outstanding results in the 2025-26 SSLC and PUC examinations, continuing a four-decade educational journey that began with just 22 kindergarten students and no building of its own.
The institution secured a 100 per cent result in the SSLC examinations, with all 43 students passing the examination this year.
Muhammad Arman Shahid emerged as the school topper by scoring 619 marks out of 625, securing 99 per cent and also ranking sixth at the state level. He scored full marks in Kannada, Hindi, Mathematics and Social Science.
Krithika V. Nayak secured the second position in the school with 607 marks and 97.12 per cent, while Arhan stood third with 605 marks and 96.8 per cent.
Out of the 43 students, 21 passed with distinction, 19 secured first class, two students obtained second class and one student passed in third class. Fourteen students scored above 90 per cent.
The institution also performed strongly in the PUC examinations. The Science stream recorded a 100 per cent result, with all 44 students passing, while Commerce secured a 98 per cent pass percentage.
Twelve students scored full marks in different subjects, including Mathematics.
In Commerce, Deeksha Acharya topped the college with 588 marks, while Harshitha H. Kini secured the second position with 581 marks.
In Science, Naveen B. Nayak emerged as topper with 586 marks, followed closely by Sameeksha Moily and Aifa Nidha, who both secured 585 marks.
Speaking about the achievement, High School head teacher Shrimati Patkar said the institution has always focused on supporting academically weak students through affordable education and free special classes.
“Our ambition is to provide quality education even to students who struggle in studies. The fees are very low, and free coaching classes are conducted. I have worked here for 28 years and have always found the atmosphere supportive of education,” she said.
Primary School head teacher Lolita Zeena D’Silva appreciated the dedication of the teaching staff and said the school encourages students not only to achieve high marks but also to become role models.
PU College Principal Balakrishna Rao said the institution focuses on value-based education and overall personality development.
“The aim is to help students succeed not only academically but also in cultural activities, sports and leadership. We encourage qualities such as patience, tolerance and discipline,” he said.
Rao also credited the institution’s growth to the support of founders K.S. Mohammed Masood and K.S. Nissar Ahmed, along with President K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed.
Speaking on the occasion, Imtiaz Ahmed said the institution was built on the dream of making quality education accessible to financially backward families in rural areas.
He said the guidance and encouragement of his elder brothers, Mohammed Masood and Nissar Ahmed, along with the contribution of teachers, students and parents, helped transform the institution into a model educational centre.
The KMES Institutions trace their roots back to 1984, when they were founded by senior social activists Haji P.M. Khan, K.S. Nazeer Ahmed and Haji A.S. Rashid Haider.
The institution initially functioned from the Government Urdu School premises as it did not have a building of its own. Classes began with only 22 students in lower kindergarten and two teachers.
Later, under the leadership of K.S. Mohammed Masood and with continuous financial and moral support from non-resident businessman K.S. Nissar Ahmed, the institution gradually expanded.
In 1993, the school shifted to its own building and began conducting classes from LKG to Class 5.
As student admissions increased, Nissar Ahmed personally funded the construction of three additional classrooms to address infrastructure shortages.
The institution’s new school building was completed in 1997, while the PU College building was constructed in 2001.
From humble beginnings in a borrowed building to producing state-level rank holders and consistent academic results, the KMES Institutions have grown into one of the prominent educational centres in the Karkala region.
