Rabiya Bashir
Srinagar, Apr 10: Northern railways suspended train services on the Banihal-Baramulla stretch at least 14 times in the last 38 days for security reasons.
The train service was suspended either partially or fully around seven times in March: the service was partially suspended on March 1, 16, and 24; on March 5, 6, 7 and 12, it was suspended fully.
So far in April, the service has remained suspended around seven times already: on April 1, 5 and 7, the train service was partially suspended and on April 2, 3, 4, and 6, it was fully suspended.
Chief Controller Railways Srinagar, Shri Nandlal, said that train service has become very popular in Kashmir Valley but for the frequent disruptions.
In February, he said, the train service was suspended on 2, 9, 11 and 16.
“These disruptions have been happening in the past as well,” he said.
In 2017, as per a railway official, the train service remained suspended on 55 occasions due to shutdowns or for security reasons.
In 2016, the year of summer unrest, the railway suffered losses amounting to crores of rupees resulting from the damage to its property and cancellation of the service for about six months.
As per the sources, on a single day, around 15,000 thousand to 20,000 commuters travel on 30 trains.
The frequent suspensions of the service are causing hardships to commuters.
“I prefer to travel by train, but these disruptions make it very tough for me,” said Altaf Ahmad, a commuter.
“Travelling in cabs or buses takes more time due to jams. The train service is useful for people commuting long distances.”
Another commuter, Sajad Ahmad said the service was being suspended even for minor incidents.
“It is disgusting. The authorities shall take into our account our sufferings and avoid these disruptions,” he said.
