Train services resume in Kashmir

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Rail
Earlier, the protesters had damaged the track during the unrest

Train services in Kashmir resumed today following their suspension for five months due to the ongoing mass unrest in the state. However, initially, it will ply between Banihal and Budgam. Full services will resume within a few days.

The railway has suffered the losses to the tune of Rs 4.5 crore in these months, the officials said. The train services were halted on July 9 as Kashmir erupted a day after the killing of the popular Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

Earlier, the protesters had damaged the track during the unrest. On November 29, a mob had damaged a portion of railway track at Naina village of Pulwama district following the first trial run of train to Banihal from Budgam for the first time since the strife began in Kashmir valley.

The Government is thus keeping the fingers crossed. The resumption of train services could lead to fresh attempts at disruption.

Kashmir’s got its train in October 2008 when it was flagged off at Nowgam railway station amid tight security by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with the Congress president Sonia Gandhi by his side.

It was constructed at a cost of Rs 11,270 crore.