The Bold Voice of J&K

No, this is not in a lighter vein: Train to nowhere!

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Prof Nutan K Resutra

There is great excitement everywhere. Right from the Union Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw to all down the line, everyone has only one subject to talk: the very soon chugging of train to Srinagar! And that is but natural. It seems the dream of generations of taking train to the Valley is coming true now.
Very few people know that during the tenure of erstwhile Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, a detailed project report regarding taking train to the Valley had also been prepared wherein not one but three alternate routes, that too of electric train had been suggested. But this proposal could not see the light of day because the then British Government did not give permission to the Maharaja to put that plan to practicality.

We have been following very keenly, rather excitedly each and every phase of the happening of Udhampur- Baramula Rail Link Project. If you permit me, I would even go back to yesteryears when in seventies the train had chugged into the Jammu Tawi Railway Station for the first time. At that time someone had aired the idea of extending it to Udhampur; which was just shrugged off by many. But then after great many years, the train reached Udhampur ultimately followed by its further journey up to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. From thereon, it was not a sarcasm to think of taking train to the Valley; but serious efforts did start taking fruitful shapes.
I frankly admit that I have been an ardent reader of each and every milestone achieved in the construction journey of railway-line starting from Katra. We also enthusiastically, like many others, visited the highest bridge on the mighty Chenab at Kodi. With starry eyes, I visualised the moment when in reality the whistling train would pass on that bridge. The technical issues of the tunnel near Katra lengthened the otherwise early completion of the project. And overcoming all hardships we are about to witness the dream come true.
All said and done. Even when the safety trails had not begun on the newly laid track between Katra and Sangaldaan and up to Srinagar, there were news of sleeper Vande Bharat that would run from Delhi to Srinagar. A few days back, much curiosity had been generated with the photos and tweets of the Union Railway Minister showcasing the Vande Baharat built specially for the Valley with so -so -so many features and facilities. Great. We are happy and proud.
And then here comes the glitch, or the twist in it like a Hindi movie. The Railways have issued time table for Valley whereby at the outset three trains including the one specially built Vande Bharat would run between Srinagar and Katra: I repeat between Katra and Srinagar. To put it simply, all those passengers who board the trains in Srinagarwill invariably have to deboard at Katraand then further make alternate arrangements of means of transport if they want to come to Jammu. Similarly, passengers desirous of going to Srinagar or any other place in the Valley from Jammu will have Hobson’s Choice but to go to Katra for their onward journey. I apologise from my esteemed readers that I am slow in understanding. And as far as my understanding goes, the major Railway Stations to me, are Jammu and Srinagar on this route.So, what is the logic in terminating trains at Katra instead of Jammu? The reason given by the Railways is the same stereotyped one: Security concerns!Frankly I do feel confused in understanding it. If we put it in other words, it would mean when the train terminates at Katra and vice- versa, it is quite safe. But if it is made to terminate say at Jammu; a very high security risk may be involved which at present cannot be handled by the Railways! And to take the matter further, it would imply that all trains running between Jammu and Katra at present are subject to the same high degree of risk. Great!
One of my friends from Kashmir had come to wish me on Lohri. During light discussion, he said: why people from Kashmir travelling to Jammu should board this train since they have to invariably deboard at Katra. He frankly admitted that it takes him just four hours to travel one way on the Highway in his own vehicle. Why should he take all the trouble of first boarding and then deboarding forcible midway while travellingby train, he asked. Contrary to publicity, the general public would not like to make use of this fantastic gift. It is just like gifting Pan Parag to a non- smoker. I will be compelled to use this means of transport only when the National Highway is closed; he further added.
Already, voices of dissent are being aired strongly from the Valley ranging from local public to business associations to politicians. The Business community shared their dismay in transporting fruit through train. Although being economical, they would be put to further inconvenience in hiring trucks etc. from Katra for onward export to Delhi and other markets. Even the Chief Ministerhmself tweeted his views on termination of trains at Katra.
The basic question still remains: why terminate at Katra? The grapevine is abuzz that those opposing Ropeway project are being given consolation the business of Katra would be compensated thus. Yet, a serious thought that bothers me in all this episode is:
What about the business and allied activities of Jammu? Needless to say, Jammu is bearing the brunt of everything. The ongoing works to attract tourists such as Tawi Lake Project or restoration, development of Heritage Mubarak Mandi Complex to name just two, are being dragged on, one wonders why. The Dogri Suhaagoften sung while bidding farewell to Bride;Saanurakh le aj di raatve is not holding good for the pilgrims and tourists! Jammu is constantly declining in terms of tourists; and business; and culture with indifference of you know who all; and we are boasting of making separate Jammu State. God bless us!!

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