Srinagar, March 20: Northern Railways on Wednesday announced a 50 percent slash in train fares across the Kashmir Valley, bringing a relief to commuters traveling between Baramulla and Sangaldan stations in the region.
Saqib Yousuf Yatoo (IRTS), Chief Area Manager (CAM) Kashmir told Rising Kashmir that they have reinstated the pre-Covid 2019 fare in all passenger trains in Kashmir.
“During the COVID-19 period, fares were doubled for most local passengers across the country, including Kashmir. This change has been implemented starting Wednesday,” CAM Kashmir.
He further added that this fare reduction applies uniformly across the entire Kashmir Valley, making train travel highly accessible and cost-effective for commuters.
Presently, rail services in the region operate from Baramulla in the northern part of the Valley to Sangaldan in Ramban district, located in the Jammu division.
“This move is expected to particularly benefit regular commuters and tourists traveling within the Valley, providing them with an economical mode of transportation. The decision to slash train fares comes as a major relief to commuters facing rising transportation costs, especially amid economic challenges,” he said.
CAM Kashmir said that the initiative is aimed at enhancing the accessibility and affordability of public transportation in the Kashmir Valley, aligning with the broader goal of facilitating smoother travel experiences for the local population.
“We have issued directions to all railway stations along the Kashmir region from Wednesday onward,” he added.
According to the order issued by the railways, ‘II MEMU/DEMU and Passenger Trains stopping at all stations, en route from originating point to destination point, are to be charged with II’nd Ordinary passenger fare as it was done during the pre-COVID period with immediate effect.
