After much persuasion, and finally, intervention by the Governor of the State, Northern Railway authorities have awoken to the long standing demand of Jammu for a re-think of entire Jammu sector rail enterprise. The necessity of expanding, upgrading and modernising entire railway system in Jammu region has arisen partly owing to great influx of pilgrim tourists and partly because of railway line being extended to Kashmir Valley. Only weeks ago, the Governor received the General Manager of Ferozepore Division, under which Jammu Railway sector falls, and emphasized on him that all requisite facilities need to be provided at Katra railway station which will become functional in March 2013. As a sequel to that meeting, the GM along with the MP Ch. Lal Singh visited Kathua, Udhampur and Katra railway stations and made some announcements regarding improvement of rail services in Jammu region. A few improvements that he has suggested like adding one more platform to Jammu railway station or improving signals system etc. are welcome. But essentially what is required is improving, upgrading and modernizing main railway stations like Kathua, Jammu, Udhampur and Katra. In particular, Jammu railway station has to be dealt with as one of the largest and ultra modern stations in Northern India. At present the approach to the station, the mini bus and taxi stand, the passenger facility, sanitation and environment status of Jammu railway station are simply dismal. It is a blot on Indian railways. Approach road suffers encroachment by vendors; escalators are markedly non-existent; cab service is brutally arbitrary and mini bus service is inhuman. Parliament member Ch. Lal Singh is very right in demanding that J&K be made independent division of northern railways especially in view of the rail extension connecting Jammu with the valley in near future.
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