Glass-topped trains to chug in valley soon

Railway Minister, CM inaugurate five halt points on Baramulla-Banihal section

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today promised introduction of glass-topped coaches on the Baramulla-Banihal track so that tourists could explore and enjoy the beauty of Kashmir.
Saying the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd had been told to include Kashmiri cuisine on its menu for the trains, Prabhu said Kashmiri handicrafts and artefacts would also be put on display at all railway stations across the country.
Prabhu said his ministry was committed to the people for promoting and linking its tourism, cuisine and handicrafts to the mainstream market and customer portal of the country. He thanked the state government for extending all help in laying of the railway infrastructure in the state.
Earlier, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and the Railway Minister jointly inaugurated five halt points on the Baramulla-Banihal railway track. These points are at Razwan (Sanoor Kalipora) and Naidgam in Budgam district, Ratnipora in Pulwama district, Monghaal in Anantnag district and Sangdan in Kulgam district.
Speaking on the occasion, Mehbooba thanked Prabhu for acceding to her request to set up these halt points for the convenience of commuters. She said it was a long-pending demand of the people of these areas which had been fulfilled. She said these spots won’t just be halt points for the trains but would give boost to economic activities in the areas. Terming the formal inauguration of these halt points as Eidee from him, Prabhu said many more initiatives by his ministry for developing the state’s economy and connectivity were in the pipeline. He hoped these steps would herald a new chapter of growth, employment and prosperity for the people of the state.

Guv for early completion of Katra-Banihal section Srinagar:
Governor NN Vohra, during his meeting with the Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu here on Thursday, emphasised the importance of the Katra-Banihal rail section being completed without any further delay. He observed that once the entire Jammu-Baramulla rail system was fully operational, Jammu and Kashmir would be directly linked with the whole country throughout the year and this connectivity would boost tourism, generate employment and buttress national security concerns. The Union Minister for Railways met Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan on his arrival from Leh where he launched the Leh-Manali rail link and apprised the Governor of the Railways’ future plans to augment rail network in Jammu and Kashmir.