Srinagar, Oct 16: Train service was suspended again on Tuesday for security reasons in the Kashmir valley, where separatists have called for a general strike in poll-bound areas of Srinagar and Ganderbal in the final phase of Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections.
All train runs will remain suspend in the Kashmir valley today as a fresh advisory was received from police last night, a senior railway official told UNI.
Therefore, he said, no train will run on Srinagar-Badgam and Baramulla in north Kashmir today. Similarly, no train will chug on Badgam-Srinagar-Anantnag-Qazigund in south Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region.
This is the fifth time, train service has been suspended in the Kashmir valley since October 8 for security reasons.
Large number of passengers, who had arrived at railway stations in the valley and Banihal, were disappointed after being informed that train service has been suspended.
Since there was a strike call in the poll-bound areas only in Srinagar and Ganderbal, suspension of train service was very unfortunate, the agitated passengers said.
Train service has become very popular in the valley as it is cheap, safe and fast against other modes of transport available. The passengers said it will be a field day for cabs and other transporters who are charging several times more than the rail fare.
However, the railway authorities said they are acting only on the advice of administration since they cannot compromise with the safety and security of passengers, railway staff and railway property. In the past during strikes and protests, railway suffered huge losses in stone pelting and arson.
UNI
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