Work on Qazigund-Baramulla railway track in Kashmir stalled

Badgaum (J and K), Sept 18 : Nearly 95 per cent of the work on the 199-kilometre Qazigund-Baramulla section of the railway project in Kashmir has been completed, but the ongoing protests and shutdowns have stalled any further work.

Official reports had earlier said that the railway track would be completed by August this year but the work seems to be stuck on the last leg of completion.

A red coloured eight-coach Diesel Electric Multiple Unit train stands still on the Badgam-Nowgam sector.

Officials say that the work that was supposed to be completed ahead of schedule is now pending.

"Because of these curfews and shutdowns, labourers are scarred, there is terror in their minds and the work is suffering. Many labourers and officers, who had come from other states, have left this place long back," said Ramesh Kumar, a railway employee.

The 199 kilometer section has 800 bridges which cost Rs. 24 billion.

Completion of the track would generate employment for around 3900 people in the valley.

"The work used to take place here earlier, now since the past 2-3 months, no work is taking place. The work has literally stopped," said Ghulam Rasool, a resident.

ANI