Div Com Kashmir writes to Northern Railways to resume train services from 17th Feb

Srinagar, Feb 12: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K pole has written a letter to Chief Area Manager, Northern Railways Srinagar and requested him to resume train services from Banihal to Baramulla from February 17.

“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 17th February onwards daily, at least 3 to 5 rounds maybe started at an initial stage,” reads the letter which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

“Later on 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 protocol may be strictly complied with,” letter reads.

However on contacting railways officials they said that a decision in this regard will be taken in coming few days.

Saqib Yousuf, Chief Manager Railways told KNO that no decision has been taken as of now as there are lot of things pending yet.

“As of now I can’t say when the decision will be taken, but I am hoping it will be decided soon,” Yousuf said.

Pertinently, train services in Jammu and Kashmir were suspended on March 19 last year after the outbreak of Covid-19 virus.

Notably, Banihal-Baramulla train services resumed on 11 November 2019 after remaining suspended for around 100 days after the abrogation of the special status of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Railway officials had said that railway suffered a loss of around Rs 2 crore from 05 August 2019 to November 11, 2019, following the revocation of special status. —(KNO)