Rail Travelers leave trail of destruction; coaches defaced, Rs 50 lakh lost
Northern Railways to approach DGP, CS for security
Eid revelers traveling across Kashmir by train on Monday, a day after Eid holidays, resorted to vandalism of coaches, damaging Rs 50 lakh infrastructure of the Northern Railways.
Talking to us, Public Relations Officer of the Northern Railways, Neeraj Sharma said miscreants among the commuters travelling by train across Kashmir valley on July 20 resorted to extensive vandalism of the coaches.
On Monday, trains in Kashmir witnessed heavy rush after reopening of offices and businesses following the two-day Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.Sharma said due to the heavy rush of commuters, the staff of the Northern Railways could not keep an eye on miscreants, who indulged in stone pelting and resorted to breakage of window panes, breakage of seats and tearing off of seat covers.
He said Northern Railways had also received reports of damage to expensive CCTV equipment and junction boxes in the Pir Panjal tunnel.
Following the extensive damage to the infrastructure, Northern Railways has availed the services of paramilitary forces for operating the train services and the uniformed gunmen are now seen travelling with the commuters.
Sharma said the repairs of the coaches would take at least two months as Northern Railways cannot stop the operation of trains due to the heavy passenger rush.
“The repairs have to be carried in piece meals while keeping trains operational,” he said.
Sharma said the damage to the trains was done in mostly in the Banihal-Qazigund stretch and Budgam-Srinagar stretch.
Sources said the State government would seek help from Director General of Police, K Rajendra Kumar and Chief Secretary, Muhammad Iqbal Khanday to ensure security of the coaches and punishment to the miscreants.
Sharma said locals had also resorted to roof-top travel even when there was sufficient accommodation available in the running coaches.
He said 17 trains of the 26 trains that run across Kashmir valley had lost punctuality due to the extensive damage of the coaches.
Meanwhile, Northern Railway appealed people to discourage and prevent the “anti-social elements” who indulge in this “mindless vandalism” as it was counter-productive.
Sharma said with train operations affected, general public has been put to inconvenience.
He said roof riding puts lives of commuters at risk and causes delay in train services.
“It is a punishable offence and should be avoided,” he said.
