Ticket checking will be lenient in Jammu trains
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Aug 4: Hundreds of students from Srinagar’s National Institute of Technology (NIT), who reached here late last night amidst confusion following security advisory issued by the Government, today left for their home States by trains from Jammu Tawi Railway Station.
While the Railway authorities arranged accommodation of these students in different trains so that they could reach to their respective destinations, General Railway Police (GRP) and local administration facilitated food and brief stay of these students at the Jammu Tawi Station.
According to the Divisional Railway Manager, Firozpur, Rajesh Agarwal, extra coaches were arranged in various trains for accommodating the students as per the requirements. “As per advisories, students of NIT Srinagar were transported at a very short notice. Railways stood up to the task and ensured transport of more than 500 students to other parts of the country,” he told the Excelsior.
Around 550 students of NIT Srinagar reached here late last night in a fleet of 10 SRTC buses and they were accommodated in different trains by converting general coaches into reserved ones for them, said Anita Pawar, DySP GRP Jammu.
While first batch of 150 students left Jammu by boarding Madras Express (16032) from Jammu to Chennai, last night, remaining students were sent today through, SVDK Express, Shri Shakti Express, Malwa Express (12920) and Begumpura Express. The last batch of students left Jammu at 2.15 pm and boarded Begumpura Express while a handful of others preferred Archana Express in the evening for directly reaching Bihar.
At Jammu Tawi Railway Station, these students were provided breakfast and lunch besides accommodation for their brief stay here as part of the efforts to ensure they do not face any hardship. GRP made arrangements in this regard while DC Jammu, Sushma Chouhan personally visited the Jammu Railway Station for assessing the arrangements.
Even as the authorities converted general coaches into reserved ones for accommodating these students, the latter rued over no concession in ticket fares for them in this hour of crisis by the Northern Railway. “The Railway Ministry should have given some concessions to the students at this juncture when we have to rush to our homes in a hurry,” said a student.
According to these students, the situation in Kashmir as of now was peaceful but there was chaos due to advisory issued. ”It’s our placement year now and once again the situation is like that of 2016 unrest, which will adversely impact our career,” they said.
Meanwhile, reports said the Railways has decided that ticket-checking will be lenient on trains leaving Jammu, Udhampur and Katra for the next 48 hours to enable scores of passengers, especially Amarnath pilgrims, to leave Jammu and Kashmir even without holding reserved tickets, after the State administration’s order of cancelling the pilgrimage. Sources said that the Railways has decided that there will not be much ticket-checking in trains exiting Jammu and Katra Railway stations. “All assistance will be provided to passengers by Rrailway ticket checking staff for completing their journey comfortably. At Udhampur station too this will be followed,” the source added.
Pertinent to mention that keeping in view the unprecedented situation, the Railway has already waived cancellation charges for all trains to and from the State.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
