Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 12: After remaining suspended for almost a year now, the authorities have finally readied themselves up for the resumption of the train services in Kashmir from February 17.
In a letter written by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Pandurang K. Pole, the Chief Area Manager of the Northern Railways Srinagar has been asked to make necessary arrangements to start the services between Baramulla-Banihal partially, to begin with, the frequency of which is expected to be increased within few weeks of resumption.
“This is with regard to my telephonic discussion with you over the subject matter. You are requested to make the necessary preparedness for resuming train services tentatively from February 17 onwards daily at least 3-5 rounds may be started at an initial stage,” the letter read.
It added that later it can be increased up to the maximum possible, at an old status within a few weeks. “It is apt to mention here that COVID-19 protocols may be strictly complied with.”
It is worthwhile to be mentioned here that the train services were suspended in Kashmir in wake of lockdown that was imposed by the Government amid COVID-19 pandemic.
However, as the lockdown was eased up across the country, the railway services in Kashmir continued to remain suspended causing trouble to the commuters who used to travel through train between various Kashmir districts.
People have also been criticising the administration for its failure in resuming the train services even as the same was on in other parts of the country.
The worst sufferers of the non-availability of the train services were the students, employees, and labourers as alternative means of transport are costly for them. If a person had to reach Awantipora from Budgam, the travel would cost them around Rs 300, while as by train it would cost only Rs 40.
Notably, the suspension of the train services had also affected the small-time street vendors whose livelihood also depended on train services-while as many of them were forced to find an alternative as the train services remained suspended.
Not only did the train services face suspension due to the COVID-19 lockdown, but the service was also suspended for almost three months after the abrogation of Article 370. The service was resumed on November 12, 2019, after it was suspended in August.
In September last year, as per official estimates, the suspension of railway services had resulted in a loss of around 7 crore rupees. As per figures, 15 pairs of train used to ferry nearly 30, 000 commuters, usually students and employees between Banihal and Baramulla in one week.
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