The residents of north Kashmir have urged the Union Government and Railway Minister to extend the services of Vande Bharat train up to Baramulla so that it can benefit lakhs of people living in three districts including Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora.
The residents said that presently the Vande Bharat Express stops its operation at Srinagar thus causing severe hardships for the people of north Kashmir.
The residents said that at a time when Kashmir has been connected to Jammu by train, passengers travelling beyond Srinagar are subjected to de-board at Srinagar station and then continue their journey via passenger cabs making the journey less convenient, particularly for the elderly, women, children and those carrying luggage.
“I appreciate the historic rail connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir; however it is disheartening that the superfast Vande Bharat Express stops at Srinagar station which causes severe inconvenience for the people of Kupwara, Handwara, Sopore and even Bandipora,” Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth General Secretary for north Kashmir Advocate Azad Parwaz told Greater Kashmir.
Parwaz, who is also in charge of Handwara constituency, said that north Kashmir has a large population and a growing number of daily commuters, students, patients and tourists.
“So extending the Vande Bharat service up to Baramulla will ensure seamless connectivity and benefit thousands of people every day,” he added.
The residents appealed to the Union Railway Minister to extend the Vande Bharat train service up to Baramulla at the earliest so that the hardships being faced by the people may end. The residents expressed hope that the Railway Ministry would consider their demand on priority. They said that improved rail connectivity would strengthen regional development, boost tourism and make travel more comfortable for people living in north Kashmir.
Reacting to the concern, Rajya Sabha Member and Additional General Secretary National Conference (NC) Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan said that he will not only raise this issue in the parliament but will personally meet the Railway Minister to get this genuine demand of people addressed.
