Train services resume between Kashmir and Banihal after 5 months

The suspension has led to losses to the tune of Rs 4.5 crore.

After remaining suspended for nearly five months due to unrest in the Kashmir valley, the rail service connecting Banihal in Jammu with Baramulla in Kashmir resumed on Thursday, officials said.

Train services between Kashmir and Jammu were suspended following the unrest the erupted in the valley in July. (HT Photo/ Representative image)

Full operations were expected to commence within the next two-to-three days, the officials said.

The rail service resumed from Budgam district in central Kashmir to Banihal town in the Jammu region.

The railway track and railway property were damaged by protestors in the Valley during the last five months.

The Northern Railway suspended the service as a precautionary measure on July 9 following widespread protests over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces.

“We have suffered losses to the tune of Rs 4.5 crore during the last five months,” said Neeraj Kumar, Northern Railway PRO.

The train service comes very handy for students, government servants and other professionals who commute daily between the northern and southern parts of the Kashmir Valley.