Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Sept 15: After remaining disrupted for 11 days, Railways today partially resumed train services in Kashmir Valley following restoration of tracks damaged by flood waters.
Train services commenced between Srinagar and Baramulla, said a senior Northern Railway official.
The first train departed from Budgam at 12 noon to Baramulla and will commence its return service to Srinagar and thereon.
“Efforts are in full swing to restore the rail traffic in the remaining parts of the Kashmir Valley,” he said.
The services were disrupted as the tracks were damaged due to flooding following incessant rains, the official said, adding that at some places people had taken shelter near railway tracks and rail premises.
Northern Railway has taken several measures for people stranded in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, like running special trains from Katra, Udhampur and Jammu to different parts of the country and attaching extra coaches to regular services.
Arrangements have also been made for free transportation of relief material by trains to Jammu and Udhampur.
A special train was made operational from Jammu to Indore via New Delhi to clear stranded passengers and extra coaches were being added to regular trains as per requirement, he said.
Railways was also facilitating their journey to places like Islampur, Allahabad, Araria Cantt, Bettiah, Katihar, Lalganj, Narkatiaganj, Purania, Kiahanganj, Darbhanga, Bugha, Malda Town and Jogbani.
Northern Railway, along with NGOs and gurudwaras, is providing food free of cost to the stranded passengers at these stations. Railways doctors, along with medical teams, are also attending to those in need.
Exclusive waiting rooms have been earmarked for their use at New Delhi Station.
“In case of onward journey requirement from New Delhi and any other assistance, passengers can contact Station Manager (mobile no. 9717648892) and Deputy Station Manager (9717631960),” the official said.
Help desks have also been set up at Jammu, Udhampur and Katra railway stations for the convenience of passengers. A special help desk of railways has also been set up at T-3 terminal of Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi.
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