Indian Railway suffers Rs 234 cr loss due to suspension of train service

Srinagar, Oct 22 (UNI) Railway department has suffered a loss of over Rs 234 crore due to continued suspension of train service in the Kashmir valley, where life remained paralysed due to strike against scrapping of Article 370 on August 5.

Not a single train operated in Kashmir valley for security reasons since August 5, official sources told UNI.

We were running a number of trains since morning till late in the evening between Srinagar-Badgam in central Kashmir to Baramulla in north, they said, adding that similarly trains were also operating between Badgam-Srinagar-Anantnag and Qazigund in south Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region.

However, after receiving advisory from the divisional administration all train runs were suspended, sources said, adding train runs will be resumed only after receiving green signal from the administration. Decision to suspend and resume train service is taking after considering the safety and security of the passengers besides railway staff and property.

They said in the past railway suffered damage to railway track and stations due to demonstrations and stone pelting in the valley.

Official source said due to suspension of trains the railway department has suffered a loss of over Rs 234 crore since August 5.

Train service has become very popular in the valley as it is very cheap, safe and fast against other mode of transport available. However, since August 5 public transport, including the buses of Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) also remained off the roads.