New Delhi: Train services in the Srinagar-Banihal section of Kashmir Valley has resumed fully, more than three months after it was suspended due to security reasons, the Railways said Tuesday.
A limited passenger service of two pairs of Trains between Srinagar-Baramulla was started between 10.00am to 3.00pm with effect from November 12. Later, two more pairs of train services were allowed to operate between Srinagar and Banihal from November 17.
Sixteen services are presently running in the Valley, the Railways said, adding the duration of train services have been increased from five hours to nine hours – 8.00am to 5.00pm.
Further, the Srinagar-Banihal section has been restored to its normal speed of 100 kmph. The resumption of services came after days of trial runs.
“The Railways has restored train services to benefit thousands of local commuters to travel by train over the entire area between Baramulla and Banihal (138 km). The decision to re-start train services in Kashmir Valley was taken after due security audits and assurance by Government Railway Police, Jammu and Kashmir,” the Indian Railways said in a statement.
Train services in the Valley were suspended August 3, ahead of the Centre’s decision to abrogate special status to Jammu and Kashmir given under Article 370 of the Constitution and divide it into two Union Territories.
PTI