Srinagar: The railways have incurred a loss of over Rs 4.50 crore as rail run between Baramulla in north Kashmir and Banihal in Jammu region remained suspended during the last 145 days in unrest in violence hit valley.
However, railway service between Srinagar and Budgam in central Kashmir was resumed on November 17 though the number of passengers was very less.
A railway official told UNI that railways used to generate Rs 3 lakh everyday by operating 12 trains on Baramulla-Banihar track, which used to ferry over 20,000 people.
However, he said due to unrest since July 9 the railway services were suspended as a precautionary measure. “Due to non-functioning of the rail run for the last 145 days and damages caused to the tracks and other property, the railways have insured a loss of over Rs 4.50 crore,” he added.
He further said that the rail service will be fully functional in the next couple of days.
“Senior railway officials in a special railway cart, which is used for reaching the damaged accident sites or undertaking repair during emergencies, yesterday assessed the tracks between Srinagar and Banihal via Pulwama, Anantnag, Qazigund stations,” he said.
He said the railway track had been damaged at several places by the mobs during the unrest and a number of railway stations were also damaged in the violence. “Majority of the repair work has been completed,” he added.
The rail service between Baramulla in north Kashmir and Banihal in Jammu region via Srinagar, Badgam, Anantnag and Qazigund in south Kashmir was suspended following massive protest across the valley after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants on July 8 in an encounter in Anantnag.
Railways authorities had started rail run between Srinagar and Budgam on November 17 though the number of passengers are very less.
However, he said once the rail run is fully functional between Banihal and Baramulla, the number of passengers will increase. “Before the suspension of the service, the trains remained over crowded throughout the day,” he added.
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