When a Lifeline Pauses Mid-Day
By: Javid Amin | 12 Aug 2025
For years, the Srinagar–Banihal railway link has been more than a mode of transport — it has been a lifeline. Cutting through the scenic yet challenging terrain of the Kashmir Valley, this route has connected villages, towns, and urban centers in a way road transport alone never could. Affordable fares, predictable timings, and a scenic ride made it the preferred choice for students, daily wage workers, traders, office-goers, and patients traveling for treatment.
But as of April 1, 2025, a major timetable revision has jolted the rhythm of thousands of daily commuters. With no trains running for over five hours in the middle of the day, many are being pushed back onto congested, expensive roads.
This article unpacks what has changed, why it happened, the economic and social impact, public reaction, and possible solutions to balance tourism growth with local commuter needs.
The Change in Numbers – New Mid-Day Service Gap
As of April 1, 2025, Indian Railways has suspended all mid-day train services on the Srinagar–Banihal route, creating a large operational gap.
Timetable changes at a glance:
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Srinagar → Banihal: No trains from 10:30 am to 4:03 pm
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Banihal → Srinagar: No trains from 10:45 am to 3:05 pm
This means 5+ hours with zero service in both directions — a major gap for a corridor that serves thousands daily.
Why This Matters
The Srinagar–Banihal stretch is not just another passenger segment — it’s a short-haul, high-dependence route. Unlike long-distance express services, its core value lies in frequency and flexibility.
Before April 1:
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Trains ran every 1–1.5 hours during the day.
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Passengers could adjust travel around personal schedules.
After April 1:
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Large chunk of the day without trains.
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Commuters forced to wait until late afternoon or find road alternatives.
The Economic Impact – How Costs Are Rising for Everyone
When train services pause, the Srinagar–Banihal highway — already notorious for traffic jams, landslides, and weather disruptions — becomes the only option.
1. Surge in Road Transport Fares
With thousands of displaced rail passengers, demand for shared taxis, mini-buses, and private cabs has spiked.
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Pre-change: Shared taxi fare ~ ₹120–₹150 for Srinagar–Banihal.
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Post-change: ₹180–₹250 in many cases.
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Private cabs: Even higher — ₹1,800+ one way.
2. Loss of Work Hours
A delay of even one hour in the Kashmir Valley can snowball into missed work shifts, lower productivity, and lost wages — especially for daily wage earners who rely on the first available train after mid-morning.
Case Example:
Ghulam Nabi, a fruit seller from Qazigund, shared:
“I used to take the 11 am train to Srinagar, sell my stock, and be back by evening. Now, I either go much earlier or take the road, which is expensive and uncertain. My profit has dropped by half.”
3. Impact on Students and Patients
For students with mid-day classes and patients with medical appointments, the gap is especially punishing:
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Students must either attend full-day sessions far from home or skip classes.
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Patients are paying extra for road travel to keep up with treatment schedules.
Why Did This Change Happen? – The Tourism vs. Local Needs Dilemma
Indian Railways has confirmed that the mid-day suspension is linked to operational preparations for:
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Two Vande Bharat trains
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One Mail/Express service between Katra and Srinagar
These high-speed, long-distance services are expected to boost tourism, cut travel time for visitors, and integrate the Valley more closely with the national rail grid.
The Trade-Off
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Tourism gain: Long-distance trains mean more visitors, potentially higher hotel occupancy, and greater business for tour operators.
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Local pain: Reduced short-haul services at peak hours means everyday commuters bear the cost of national-level infrastructure ambitions.
Transport economist Dr. Sameer Wani sums it up:
“Tourism is vital for Kashmir’s economy, but so is daily mobility for locals. Infrastructure policy must avoid sacrificing one for the other.”
Public Reaction – A Growing Outcry
Social media platforms and local newspapers are filled with angry posts and letters.
Common complaints:
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“Railways is prioritizing tourists over locals.”
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“This gap is killing small businesses.”
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“Why can’t they run a few local services between express trains?”
Representative voices:
Mouzam Iqbal, daily commuter:
“We are stranded for hours. The railway was supposed to be a lifeline, not a luxury.”
Shazia Farooq, university student:
“I can’t afford road travel daily. Either I skip lectures or spend extra from my scholarship.”
Social Consequences – More Than Just an Inconvenience
1. Increased Road Accidents
More traffic on the Srinagar–Jammu highway increases accident risk, especially in winter fog or rainy conditions.
2. Environmental Strain
Rail travel is more eco-friendly than road transport. Shifting thousands back to road vehicles means higher carbon emissions and more noise pollution.
3. Rural Connectivity Loss
Villages along the rail route that depend on short, affordable trips to nearby towns are now isolated for half the day.
Balancing Solutions – What Can Be Done?
Experts and commuter groups suggest:
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Reintroducing limited mid-day local services between express train slots.
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Hybrid scheduling: Run shorter shuttles (Srinagar–Qazigund, Qazigund–Banihal) during mid-day.
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Dynamic pricing: Keep local train fares ultra-low to encourage use.
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Public consultations: Include commuter associations in timetable planning.
The Bigger Picture – Infrastructure in Transition
The Srinagar–Banihal situation is not unique — it reflects a global tension between prestige projects and grassroots accessibility.
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In Spain, high-speed AVE trains displaced slower regional services.
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In China, local routes are sometimes cut to make way for express services.
The challenge for India is ensuring Vande Bharat glamour doesn’t overshadow local lifeline routes.
Conclusion – A Call for Inclusive Railway Planning
The revised Srinagar–Banihal train timetable has turned into a case study in how well-intentioned upgrades can unintentionally harm the very communities they serve.
If India’s railway modernization is to succeed in Kashmir, it must blend speed for tourists with steady reliability for locals. After all, a true transport lifeline is not measured only in kilometers or minutes saved — but in the lives it keeps moving.
