Hakeem seeks direct rail link from Delhi to Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 11: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) chairman and former minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Saturday expressed deep disappointment over the decision to operate train services from Delhi to Kashmir with a mandatory change at Katra station. He said that this transshipment process would hinder travel convenience and undermine the potential benefits for local industries and businesses.
In a statement issued here, Yaseen acknowledged the launch of the Vande Bharat train service from Delhi to Katra and then to Kashmir, but criticized the route limitation. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir had optimistic expectations for a direct railway link from Delhi to Srinagar, which was anticipated to bolster tourism, horticulture, exports and various other economic sectors,” he said.
Hakeem said that stakeholders—including fruit growers, tourism operators, and students—were particularly hopeful that a direct connection would enhance travel efficiency and save time. “However, the current decision to operate the Vande Bharat Express only on the Katra-Srinagar route has dashed these hopes. Transhipment at Katra is both inconvenient and cumbersome,” he said.
The PDF chief called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of Railways to reconsider the existing arrangement. “It is essential that the railway service be made direct from Delhi to Kashmir and vice versa, eliminating the need for transshipment at Katra,” Yaseen urged.