Ahmed Ali Fayyaz
Jammu: Media reports claiming that the historic Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar train service, likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month, would terminate at Katra, have evoked considerably negative reactions from fruit growers, traders and political parties across the Kashmir valley.
With trains set to chug between Kashmir and New Delhi, media reports on Thursday said that all trains traveling to and from Delhi would have their ultimate destination at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station of Katra in Jammu. Passengers coming from Delhi and other places or Srinagar will have to deboard and catch a connecting train at Katra.
Railway officials, citing security reasons, have confirmed that the Katra station would be the point where passengers will need to change trains.
“Trains either coming from Srinagar or returning to New Delhi will stop at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station in Katra, Jammu, where passengers will have to board another train to complete their journey,” ETV Bharat quoted officials as saying. As per the report, platform number 1 at Katra has been designated for Kashmir-bound trains.
“When a train arrives at this platform, all passengers will have to deboard and exit the station. They will then need to re-scan their luggage at the departure lounge before boarding the train stationed at platform number 1 for their onward journey. The same train will not continue to further destinations, and passengers will have to wait for the next train to proceed,” officials were quoted to have said.
On 31 December 2024, Northern Railway released a timetable for train services from Katra to Srinagar. The schedule mentions that one Vande Bharat Express and two Mail Express trains would run daily between SMVD Katra and Srinagar. However, there was no mention of the onward journey from Katra to other destinations.
According to the timetable issued by Northern Railways, the Vande Bharat train will depart from Katra at 8:10 AM and reach Srinagar at 11:20 AM. The first Mail Express will leave Katra at 9:50 AM and arrive in Srinagar at 1:10 PM, while the second Mail Express will depart Katra at 3:00 PM and reach Srinagar at 6:20 PM.
Similarly, from Srinagar, the first Mail Express will depart at 8:45 AM and reach Katra at 12:05 PM. The Vande Bharat Express will leave at 12:45 PM and reach Katra at 3:55 PM, while the second Mail Express will depart at 3:05 PM and arrive in Katra at 6:30 PM.
The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union has voiced disappointment over the decision to operate Vande Bharat Express trains on the Katra-Srinagar route instead of the anticipated direct Delhi-Srinagar service.
While welcoming the new Katra-Srinagar rail connectivity and the imminent inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel, the union highlighted that the current arrangement does not address the logistical needs of the valley’s horticulture sector, a critical contributor to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy.
The union asserted that direct rail connectivity to Delhi would significantly expedite the transportation of fresh produce, reducing delays and ensuring better market access for Kashmir’s horticultural goods.
The union lamented the absence of a dedicated goods train for transporting perishable items. It emphasised that such a service would bolster the horticulture sector, which heavily relied on swift and reliable transportation to maintain the quality of fresh produce.
In a statement, it called upon Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, and Chief Secretary to intervene and advocate for a direct Vande Bharat Express train between Srinagar and Delhi. It emphasised that such a service would not only benefit the horticulture sector but also stimulate broader economic growth in the region.
PDP General Secretary Mohammad Khurshid Alam criticised the measure, stating that it undermines the much-touted promise of convenience for Kashmiris.
“For years, we were told that train services to Kashmir would benefit the common masses and ease travel. This latest directive shows that Kashmiris are still far from experiencing any real travel convenience. The train services, which were inaugurated amid great fanfare, are turning out to be nothing more than a facade,” Alam said.
He described the arrangement as an additional burden on travellers, particularly the elderly and those travelling for medical treatment.
“This decision subjects ordinary people to unnecessary hardships. Security concerns should not be used as an excuse. Adequate checks can be conducted at the start of the journey. Forcing passengers to de-board midway and board another train in the name of security is both humiliating and impractical,” the PDP leader added.
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has called for the proposed Srinagar-Delhi train service to operate directly, without requiring passengers to switch trains at Katra Railway Station.
Expressing concern over reports suggesting that passengers may need to deboard at Katra, re-enter the station, and undergo fresh security checks before continuing their journey, Bukhari termed the arrangement “troubling and humiliating”.
Bukhari emphasised that railway authorities should prioritise passenger comfort and adopt alternative security measures to address safety concerns. “People had high hopes for a seamless and comfortable Srinagar-Delhi train service. Forcing passengers to change trains midway undermines those expectations,” he said.
Bukhari urged the authorities to reconsider the proposed plan to ensure a fast and efficient travel experience.
