Operationalise Baramulla-Katra railway service: MLA Banihal

Srinagar, Apr 22: Expressing serious concern over the widespread devastation caused by incessant rains, hailstorms, landslides, and cloudbursts across parts of Jammu and Kashmir—particularly in Ramban, Banihal, Gool, and Dharamkund—Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen, has urged the government to take immediate and comprehensive measures to mitigate the crisis.

In a statement , the MLA highlighted the extensive damage to the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NHW), which remains blocked at multiple locations due to landslides and road collapse triggered by continuous rainfall. “The continued closure of the NHW has led to a crisis-like situation in the region, severely disrupting movement, supply chains, and emergency services,” the statement read.

Shaheen appealed to the  Chief Minister to urgently take up the issue with the Government of India and ensure the operationalisation of the Baramulla-Katra railway service on humanitarian grounds until full road connectivity is restored.

Terming the situation unprecedented, the MLA demanded that the destruction caused by recent extreme weather events be officially declared a natural calamity.

He cited large-scale damage to residential houses, agricultural land, orchards, vehicles, and livestock, particularly in Ramban, Banihal, and Gool. “A landslide caused by a cloudburst in Dharamkund alone has damaged 37 residential houses. The scale of loss to infrastructure, property, and livelihoods is alarming,” he said.