Srinagar, Aug. 1 -- Srinagar- Northern Railway will operate a special train between Budgam and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to facilitate the movement of stranded passengers as the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remains closed due to adverse weather conditions, officials said on Saturday.

The decision was taken following a surge in passenger rush at Srinagar and Katra railway stations amid the highway closure, they said.

According to a railway statement, the special train will depart from Budgam at 1 pm and reach Katra at 4:20 pm, with scheduled halts at Srinagar, Banihal and Sangaldan.

For the return journey, the train will leave Katra at 5:05 pm and arrive in Budgam at 8:30 pm, it said.

The special service will continue until norma...