Srinagar: Rail service between Srinagar and Badgam in the central Kashmir track has been resumed this afternoon after successful trial run yesterday though the number of passengers was in two digits today.
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.
It will take 10 to 12 more days to resume the full service between Baramulla and Qazigund, a senior railway official told UNI.
He said trail run between Srinagar and Badgam in central Kashmir was conducted successfully yesterday.
The train left Badgam station this afternoon at 1225 hours and reached Srinagar station at Nowgam within just ten minutes. Train run will continue today, he added.
Majority of those who travelled in the first train were media persons and photo and video journalists, a reporter said adding passengers were missing due to strike called by separatists since July 9, demanding right to self determination. The separatists have already extended the strike till November 24 though there will be two full day relaxation on November 19 and 20.
Railway officials said that once the rail run is extended to Banihal and Baramulla, the number of passengers will increase. Before the suspension of the service, the trains remained over crowded throughout the day, they said.
Both the railway stations were presenting a deserted look though employees from the railway department and security force personnel were present.
Due to violence railway track at several places had been damaged by the violent mobs. A number of railway stations were also damaged in the violence.
Due to suspension of the rail service the railway authorities suffered crores of rupees loss during the past four months. Besides railway property had also been damaged.
Officials said number of railway properties were damaged which forced the authorities to suspend train operations in the Valley. Since there is no train operation, its only source of income, the sale of tickets was also stopped,” they said, adding the Railways in Kashmir has been suffering huge revenue loss in operating trains.
“We have been spending nearly Rs 80 crore annually on operations and maintenance of rail operations in Kashmir and in return earn meager income,” they said.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
