GM Northern Railways inspects railway infrastructure, station connectivity

Srinagar, Dec 17: Ahead of the commencement of the first direct train between Delhi and Srinagar, the General Manager (GM) of Northern Railways Ashok Kumar Verma Tuesday visited Kashmir on his two-day tour to inspect the railway stations across Kashmir and Sangaldan.

The GM Northern Railways arrived in Budgam on Tuesday morning to inspect the infrastructure at the railway station.

Later, he visited Srinagar, Anantnag, Qazigund, and other railway stations as well.

“The GM has come to inspect the infrastructure available at the railway stations. His visit was scheduled in connection with the commencement of direct train service from Delhi to Kashmir,” a top official of Northern Railways said.

“The GM is also taking a review as Northern Railways has to connect all the stations of Kashmir and Reasi with Jammu and Delhi. He is visiting almost every station,” the official said.

The first direct train from Srinagar to New will begin its operations in January 2025 as the government is all set to introduce the New Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat sleeper train to increase railway connectivity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the final 17-km stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project between Reasi and Katra in January.

Meanwhile, the official said that post the introduction of direct trains between New Delhi and Srinagar, the upgradation of railway stations was expected to be started.

“Sopore Railway station will witness massive upgradation as it will have an additional separate line for loading of fruits which will be transported to other parts of the world,” the official said.

He said that at present Sopore was just treated as a railway stop as the station is without any manager.

“We have not posted any manager there post 2010 incident when the railway station was attacked by some people. Only a few employees are there who manage the distribution of tickets as of now. But in the near future, the station will be upgraded and a station manager will be posted there,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the GM Northern Railways stayed in Srinagar and is scheduled to visit Sangaldan and other railway stations on Wednesday.