Jammu and Kashmir Train Services Resume After Three Months

Train services in Jammu and Kashmir were resumed last week for the first time after three months. Train services in the newly formed Union Territory were suspended due to security reasons after the abrogation of Article 370.

The first train ran between Baramulla and Srinagar on Tuesday last week, making only two trips on the Baramulla-Srinagar stretch, according to a railway official.  

Due to security reasons, authorities have directed the Railways to ply trains between 10 am and 3 pm only.

A trial run of the railway services were conducted a day prior for the first time since August 5 when the Valley was put under lock down. The train services in Jammu and Kashmir were suspended due to security reasons hours before the Centre announced its decision to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 of the Constitution and to bifurcate the erstwhile state into two Union territories.

The services have now been resumed after lifting restrictions in the newly-formed UT in a phased manner. The Srinagar-Banihal stretch of the railway line will resume in a few days after checking track safety and conducting trial runs.

Apart from trains, a few mini-buses also plied on the Batwara-Batamaloo route through the city centre, while inter-district cabs and auto-rickshaws plied in the city and elsewhere in the valley. Private transport was plying unhindered, according to officials.

(With inputs from PTI)