Kashmir's first-ever train service commences today

Srinagar, Oct 12 : The first ever train service in Kashmir valley commenced on Sunday.

The train left Budgam at 7:10 a.m. and arrived at Anantnag on 8:45 a.m. The train will depart from Budgam at 2:25 p.m. and will reach Anantnag at 4:00 p.m.

The train, which is expected to cover the 66-km in about 1 hour and 35 minutes including stoppage time at various stations, will be run twice a day from either side.

The stoppages are at Budgam, Srinagar, Pampore, Kakapora, Awantipora, Panjgam, Bijbehara, Rajwansher and Anantnag. The fare for the travel is 15 rupees.

The railway line between Srinagar and Jammu is 345 km long and is biggest project of the Indian Railways since independence.

The project is called Jammu-Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund-Baramulla link (JUKQB). The Baramulla-Qazigund link is 119 km long and is the third part of the project.

There are eight-coach DEMU rake in the train. The coaches have a seating capacity for 90 passengers and the compartment meant for physically challenged persons will have wider doors.

In view of the climate of the valley, 1400 horsepower diesel engine for the train has been provided with heating system for quick and trouble free starting in winters.

The driver's cab has heating and defogging unit keeping in view the cold climate. Snow cutting type cattle guard is attached at the driver's end of the train for snow clearance from tracks during winter.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh flagged off the train from Srinagar railway station at Nowgam.

The train was flagged off ten years after the project was started by the then Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral.

ANI