Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded increase in frequency of trains on Baramulla-Banihal sector besides extension of rail network to Uri, Kupwara, Sonamarg, Poonch, Rajouri, Doda and Kishtwar to facilitate greater intra-state mobility.According to a statement issued to KNS, while raising the issue in the Lok Sabha by moving cut motions on the Union Railway Budget, PDP MPs Mehbooba Mufti and Tariq Hameed Karra said while latest announcement regarding increase in frequency of train services on Banihal-Budgam sector is a welcome step, but the same needs to be extended upto Baramulla to cope up with the massive passenger rush. They said as per the reports while the existing facility of trains on Banihal-Baramulla sector is sufficient for only 1500 passengers, around 5000 passengers commute daily on this sector.
“In view of the massive passenger rush, there is a pressing need for increasing train frequency on Banihal-Budgam sector,” they said and added the move will go a long way in cutting the risk of road accidents in Kashmir as scores of precious lives are lost daily in tragic road mishaps across the state. They also demanded adding new stations on Banihal-Baramulla sector to ease accessibility besides developing Banihal, Anantnag, Budgam and Baramulla as model railway stations.The MPs urged the Centre to initiate measures for extension of rail link from Srinagar to Sonamarg, Baramulla to Uri & Kupwara and Jammu to Poonch-Rajouri & Doda-Kishtwar.
They said that linking all the regions and sub-regions of the state would not only increase human mobility but also generate new economic activity in the state as the locals products including fruit and handicrafts would get easy access to the markets throughout the country and beyond. “In the long term we can have train links upto Muzaffarabad via Uri, Rawalakote via Poonch, Skardu via Kargil, Sialkote via Jammu to boost the intra-state trade and movement of people in the region,” they said. The PDP MPs have sought the intervention of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the matter so that J&K can keep pace with the rest of the world in rail communication. (KNS)