The Hindu : Other States / Jammu & Kashmir News : Rail link to Kashmir Valley: Boon for some, bane for others

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Friday, Apr 29, 2005

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Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

Rail link to Kashmir Valley: Boon for some, bane for others

Sandeep Joshi

It could mean the end of religious tourism in Jammu, fear residents "When a direct train to Katra or Srinagar will become available, who will visit Jammu? Today road transport is the only cheap travel option available, but with the railways taking over, people will prefer the cheaper and comfortable train journey to the long, treacherous road journey to the Valley."

JAMMU: The opening of the Jammu-Udhampur railway line might be a big step in the history of the Indian Railways but it has left the residents of Jammu worried as they feel that the city's major industry -- religious tourism -- would be hit hard by it.

Though the effect may not be immediate, the real change would be felt once the other sections of the rail line -- first up to Katra and finally Baramula -- are opened in the next couple of years.

Last railhead

For tourists visiting the famous Vaishno Devi shrine at Katra, about 60-km ahead of Jammu, or those travelling to the Kashmir Valley, Jammu was the last railhead till the opening of the Jammu-Udhampur rail line on April 13.

So tourists had to break their journey here and catch a bus or a cab to Katra or the Valley. And for the pilgrims to Vaishno Devi shrine, Jammu has always been an ideal destination for a break, particularly after the arduous climb to the shrine.

Moreover, visiting the famous Raghunath Temple in the city has been an added attraction.

"But now things will not be the same. Though the rail line has been extended up to Udhampur, by the end of next year, the line till Katra is likely to be opened, giving people across the country a direct railway link to the shrine township. Only then will the people of Jammu start experiencing the fall-out of the new rail line as tourists will start bypassing Jammu and land directly at Katra," said Pritam Singh, a Jammu-based taxi driver.

This is not just the concern of those involved in the transport business in the State's summer Capital. Others like hotel and restaurants owners, souvenir and dry-fruit sellers and even those employed at the railway station think that Jammu will no longer remain a bustling tourist centre.

They also fear that the "final jolt" will come when the entire project is completed directly connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the nation.

"When a direct train to Katra or Srinagar will become available, who will visit Jammu? Today road transport is the only cheap travel option available, but with the railways taking over, people will prefer cheaper and comfortable train journey rather than taking the long treacherous journey to the Valley by road. Jammu residents are a worried lot and might have to think of some other ways to earn a living," said Rajender Kumar, a dry-fruit seller here who is planning to open a shop in Katra.

More job opportunities

On the other hand, people whose towns and villages are being connected are happy at the development and feel that besides making life easier for them, the rail link will also bring more employment opportunities.

Already, the people of Udhampur town are feeling the change in terms of travel and business.

Meanwhile, Northern Railway officials are elated over the successful completion of Jammu-Udhampur line and hope that the entire Rs.7,000-crore Jammu-Baramula section would be completed by the end of 2007. The entire rail line is an engineering marvel project comprising a large number of bridges and tunnels.

The unique features of the 54-km rail line include a 68-metre-high bridge over Duddar Nullah and the longest tunnel of about 2.5 km between Sangar and Bajalta railway stations.

"The track passing through the tough hilly terrain would set up a new record in the history of railways," remarked a senior Northern Railway official.

The work on other sections of the 342-km rail line between Jammu and Baramula is also being carried out.

"Work on the Udhampur-Katra line is progressing well. The 25-km line is almost complete but for the 12 km tunnel that has become a major stumbling block. Work on the Katra-Qaziqund section, considered to be the most difficult in the entire project passing through the mighty Pir Panjal ranges, and Qaziqund-Baramula are also going on as per schedule.

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