PDP asks Rail Min to increase frequency of trains in Kashmir

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today asked the Centre to increase the frequency of trains in Kashmir and speed up the work on Udhampur-Banihal sector to make the state a part of the national railway network.
The plea was made by PDP MPs - party president Mehbooba Mufti and former deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig - during a meeting with Railway Minister D V Sadananda Gowda in New Delhi, according to a statement issued by the party here.
The PDP leaders pleaded for increasing the frequency of trains in Kashmir and expanding the facilities to North Kashmir and Pir Panchal, Chenab Valley regions besides asking the minister to speed up work on the Udhampur-Banihal sector to make the state a part of the national railway network.

The two leaders urged Gowda to pay greater attention to take forward the railway connectivity in the state, so that it is able to overcome the difficulties people are facing in view of the topographical and climatic constraints and land crunch, that has put severe restrictions on expansion of roads.
They asked the Railway Minister to increase the frequency of trains on the Banihal-Baramulla line as the existing facility is unable to cater to the rush of passengers.
Gowda also appealed to increase the number of bogies in the existing trains apart from increasing their frequency.
The PDP also stressed the need for increasing stops for the trains which would need establishment of new railway stations.