First train to run in Kashmir

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Srinagar, Jan 9 (UNI) People in Kashmir are looking forward to the first ever train ride within the picturesque Valley as the rail services on the Kakapora-Pampore-Nowgam-Badgam track are likely to start from March this year.

Sources said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are likely to inaugurate the first train in Kashmir.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Basharat Ahmed Dhar along with a team of officers from police, revenue and railways took stock of the pace of work on the railway project yesterday.

During the visit, Mr Dhar was informed that the railway service on the Kakapora-Pampore-Nowgam-Badgam was scheduled to start from March this year.

The Divisional Commissioner also inspected the model of the railway station coming up at Nowgam.

The sources said trial runs on the stretch will begin later this month.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad discussed issues related to the project with Railway Minister Lalu Prasad in New Delhi recently.

At the meeting, the sources said Mr Prasad had agreed to give preference to families, whose land had been acquired by the Railways, for employment.

Mr Azad also sought conversion of Jammu into a railway division.

The Railway Minister assured the Chief Minister that work on other rail projects from Udhampur to Qazigund and a dual line between Jalandhar and Jammu would be expedited.