After 11 Months, Trains Partially Resume in J&K With 200% Hike

Trains partially resume in Kashmir after over 11 months of being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Image used for representation. 

(Photo Courtesy: Muneeb Ul Islam)

Train services in Kashmir resumed on Monday, 22 February after over eleven months, which was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Trains between Baramulla and Binhal areas of the Kashmir valley have been restored tweeted the Ministry of Railways, adding that this move will boost movement and tourism in the state.

Officials said that so far, nearly 1,100 people travelled between Banihal and Baramulla railway stations on Monday, according to PTI.

The trains were suspended earlier after the abrogation of Article 370 up until January 2020, only to be suspended again in March.

Services have partially resumed now in the two routes, while following COVID-19 norms like mandatory wearing of masks and maintaining social distance. The passengers were initially happy with the development, however, it comes with an unprecedented fare hike.

Trains partially resume in Kashmir with 200% hike in fare

Unprecedented Fare Hike

Ticket prices have increased by over 200 percent, just as the people in Kashmir have been grappling with the toll tax hike in wake of the FASTag implementation.

Trains between Baramulla and Binhal areas of the Kashmir valley have been restored following COVID-19 norms.

A passenger taking the train spoke to The Quint, saying, “The train services proved to be beneficial for us but the abrupt spike has caused huge disappointment and it's proving to be costly for us. For a trip to Srinagar they have spiked it to 200% abruptly, this is a huge disappointment.”

Rafaqat Hussain, a Kashmiri student and a regular traveller said, “The uncertain spike is similar to what Jio did in the past. They started with lower rates and hiked it suddenly. The Northern  Railways did the same right now. We request higher officials to consider our problems and lower the rates.”

Nisar Ahmad, another passenger who boarded the train, was initially happy about the train services starting again but felt hugely disappointed by the spike.

So far, there has been no official notice on when the trains will resume all its operations.

Officials say that so far, nearly 1,100 people travelled between Banihal and Baramulla railway stations on Monday.

Services have partially resumed now in the two routes with mandatory wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing, and other COVID-19 norms.

Ticket prices have increased by over 200 percent.

Services have partially resumed now in the two routes with mandatory wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing, and other COVID-19 norms.

Ticket fare prices have increased by over 200 percent

Services have partially resumed now in the two routes with mandatory wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing, and other COVID-19 norms.

Trains partially resume in Kashmir with 200% hike in fare.

Trains between Baramulla and Binhal areas of the Kashmir valley have been restored following COVID-19 norms.

Officials quote that so far, nearly 1,100 people travelled between Banihal and Baramulla railway stations on Monday

Ticket fare prices have increased by over 200 percent

Trains between Baramulla and Binhal areas of the Kashmir valley have been restored following COVID-19 norms.

Trains partially resume in Kashmir with 200% hike.

Officials quote that so far, nearly 1,100 people travelled between Banihal and Baramulla railway stations on Monday

Ticket fare prices have increased by over 200 percent

Trains between Baramulla and Binhal areas of the Kashmir valley have been restored following COVID-19 norms.

Services have partially resumed now in the two routes with mandatory wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing, and other COVID-19 norms.

Ticket fare prices have increased by over 200 percent

Trains between Baramulla and Binhal areas of the Kashmir valley have been restored following COVID-19 norms.

Officials quote that so far, nearly 1,100 people travelled between Banihal and Baramulla railway stations on Monday

Ticket fare prices have increased by over 200 per cent

Trains between Baramulla and Binhal areas of the Kashmir valley have been restored following COVID-19 norms.

Ticket fare prices have increased by over 200 per cent

Trains partially resume in Kashmir with 200% hike.

Officials quote that so far, nearly 1,100 people travelled between Banihal and Baramulla railway stations on Monday

Trains between Baramulla and Binhal areas of the Kashmir valley have been restored following COVID-19 norms.