Title - Rail operations get going

Srinagar:
Kashmir rail resumed its operations today. The train services between Qazigund in south Kashmir and Baramulla in north Kashmir were suspended after J&K government imposed curfew restrictions across the Valley following killing of a civilian in old city on Tuesday.“The train service resumed today after we got the security clearance,” said a Railway official. "We had decided on Friday evening that we will ply the train," he added.Since the hanging of Afzal Guru on February 9, the train service in Kashmir, which is yet to be connected with the rest of the country, had been frequently suspended by the authorities. In fact, the railway officials said since February 9, the train service between Qazigund and Baramulla had been suspended for 15 days. For eight days, the train plied partially between Qazigund and Budgam in central Kashmir. Railway security officials said rail passes through many sensitive areas and that is the reason for frequent suspensions.

“In the past one month, the train services have been suspended due to security reasons, but now we have requested the authorities to ensure that train operations are smooth,” said the railway officer. In 2010, the Kashmir train services had to be halted for almost five months due to security reasons and damage to the rail property in various parts of the Valley.

The Baramulla-Qazigund rail link was inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in October 2009.