By IANS
Srinagar : The much awaited train service to the Kashmir valley had its first 65-km trial run Saturday.
The trial run of the train started from the central Badgam district railway station and ended at the Panzgam railway station in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The run was completed with eight coaches and was supervised by an eight-member team of the railways headed by Ankush Krishnan, the managing director of the Indian Railway Construction Company (IRCON).
Krishnan is also the member secretary of the Railway Board.
The multi-million-rupee Kashmir rail project is being commissioned in two phases. By the end of this year, the rail link between south Kashmir’s Anantnag district and north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is expected to be ready.
In the second phase, railway operations between the valley and the rest of the country will begin.
The rail service is expected to give a tremendous boost to trade and industries in the valley besides making passenger movement faster, more affordable and more convenient.