Rail Services Resume in Kashmir Valley Today After Three Months

Rail services wilnot be resumed in South Kashmir due to the risks posed by militancy

The valley had been under restrictions after August 5, when the Centre revoked the special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into union territories.

(Photo Credit: Twitter@PiyushGoyal)

Train services in the Kashmir Valley, which were disrupted since 3 August ahead of the abrogation of provisions of Article 370, resume on Tuesday, 12 November, a Northern Railway official said.

The valley had been under restrictions since 5 August, when the Centre revoked Jammu & Kashmir’s special status and bifurcated it into the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.

An official said,

“After appropriate action and assurance by GRP, J&K regarding safe operation of train in Kashmir Valley between 10 AM and 3 PM, the Firozpur Division will commence a limited passenger service of running two pair of trains between Srinagar-Baramulla-Srinagar with effect from 12 November.”

One of the railway officials told the Hindustan Times about the trial runs held on Monday, 11 November. The official said that a total of four trips were made between Srinagar and Baramullah on Monday, adding that in the first phase only four trips will be made between Srinagar and Baramullah.

The official also told Hindustan Times that rail services will not be resumed in South Kashmir due to the risks posed by militancy and added that once the security clearance is issued, the services will be resumed there too.

Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted about the resumption of rail services and stated that it will boost tourism and industry in the valley.

(Inputs from PTI and Hindustan Times)