Additional train on Baramulla-Banihal track from July

Majid Jahangir

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Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 19

Prompted by the overwhelming response of commuters, the Railways is all set to introduce an additional train on the 135-km-long Baramulla-Banihal link from next month.

The Railways has already acquired the coaches for the additional train and the formalities have almost been finalised.

Chief Area Manger, Northern Railway, Budgam, AK Jain said: “We are preparing for the additional train. We intend running it in July.”

Trains in Kashmir are turning out to be the preferred mode of commuting in the Valley and there has been a demand to increase their capacity and frequency. There have been instances in the past when commuters have blocked rail tracks in south Kashmir after they failed to board overcrowded trains.

“It is a nightmare to board the train especially from south Kashmir and it is good that the Railways is planning to introduce an additional train,” said Abdul Qayoom, a resident of south Kashmir’s Pulwama.

At present, the trains make 22 trips between Baramulla in north Kashmir and Banihal in the Jammu region. After the train service was extended up to Banihal in 2013, nearly 25,000 people commute in the train every day.