Train services restarted by Indian Railways in Kashmir Valley

IRCTC has restarted train services in the Kashmir Valley to allow local residents to commute between Baramulla to Banihal (138 km). The call to resume the train services in Kashmir was taken post security audits, and the confidence expressed by the Government Railway Police of Jammu & Kashmir.Every winter, heavy snowfall always stops the smooth movement of vehicles on roads in the valley. In such a condition, train travel is the best means of transport for tourists and locals alike.

Reportedly, on November 7, 2019, the railway tracks got covered under a thick blanket of snow. The authorities had to deploy rail snow cutting machines to free the railway tracks from heavy sheets of snow. The Srinagar - Baramulla section and Srinagar - Banihal section was freed before allowing safe operation on the railway track.

News also has it that inspection and mock runs were carried out on Srinagar - Baramulla Rail Section and on Srinagar - Banihal section on November 10 and 16, 2019, respectively.

As per the news reports, a new passenger service of two trains between Srinagar-Baramulla was started between 10 AM to 3 PM starting November 12, 2019. Afterwards, two pairs of train services were allowed to operate on the Srinagar - Banihal Section from November 17, 2019.

For now, the train services run for 9 hours (8 AM to 5 PM). About 16 train services are operational for now. The first train begins at 8:05 AM and all train services terminate at 5 PM.