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| India-Pakistan |
| Kashmir train a hit on first day |
| 2008-10-12 |
| Kashmir's forest train service inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh became an instant hit on the very first day of its commercial operation, forcing the railway authorities to refund the tickets to many who could not board the train due to heavy rush. "The train is already full with all the eight coaches packed .... most of the passengers have bought tickets upto Anantnag which makes it unlikely for passengers from other stations to board the train," a railway official at Srinagar railway station told PTI. Asked how many tickets would need to be refunded, the official said it was too early to say anything about the numbers. "We will refund tickets of all those passengers who have not been able to make the journey from Srinagar to Anantnag due to the paucity of seats on the train," he said. He said it would be impossible for passengers to board the train from other stations between Srinagar and Anantnag. The train service, which become commercially operational from today, runs four times a day between Rajwansher in Budgam district and Anantnag district with a maximum seating capacity of 720 persons per train. There is already a demand from general public that the frequency of the train be increased so that the service can be beneficial for people. |
| Posted by:john frum |
| #2 Feel the tension, man, what a ride! ---Commander Cody, singing Hot Rod Lincoln |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2008-10-12 16:02 |
| #1 The first commercial train in Kashmir chugged on the tracks of the valley today with thousands of people turning up at the eight railway stations to experience the ride. People were seen at almost all railway stations between Rajwansher in Budgam district and Anantnag district from very early in the morning to get the tickets and be among the first ones to witness the historic moment. Ali Mohammad Wani had reached Srinagar Railway station at Nowgam at 7.00 am although the train was scheduled to arrive much later. "Before this we had seen trains only in Jammu, Delhi and other parts of India. This is the first time that it has come to our backyard and I wanted to be the first to savour the moment," Wani told PTI after his return journey from Anantnag. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav inaugurated and dedicated the train service to people on Saturday in which ordinary residents were kept away from the function due to security reasons. Wani, a carpet dealer residing in nearby Bagh-e-Mehtab area, gave thumbs up for the train service and facilities provided in it but wished that the frequency be increased so that it becomes more practical than symbolic. "The present frequency of operation I would say is not good. Just four trains a day will not benefit many as it limits the option of travelling more by train. The railways should think about it," he added. |
| Posted by: john frum 2008-10-12 14:18 |