ID :
23963
Sat, 10/11/2008 - 17:30
Auther :
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http://m.oananews.org//node/23963
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Prime Minister flags off first train in Kashmir Valley
Srinagar, Oct 11 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
Saturday flagged off the first train service in Kashmir
valley, realising the decades old dream of the people in the
region through the prestigious project launched in 1998.
Singh, accompanied by United Progressive Alliance
(U.P.A.) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Railway Minister Lalu
Prasad Yadav and Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra,
flagged off the flower-decked train from Srinagar railway
station at Nowgam.
The train, which was flagged off 10 years after the
project was started by then Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral,
carried school children.
Initially, the train will run from Rajwansher in Budgam
district to Anantnag, covering a distance of 66 k.m., the
spokesman said, adding the fare for the travel will be Rs 15.
The regular service of the train will commence from
October 12. There will be an eight-coach DEMU rake in the
train, he said.
The stoppages will be at Budgam, Srinagar, Pampore,
Kakapora, Awantipora, Panjgam, Bijbehara, Rajwansher and
Anantnag, the spokesman said.
The train, which is expected to cover the 66 k.m. in
about one hour and 35 minutes including stoppage time at
various stations, will be run twice a day from either side.
The coaches will have a seating capacity for 90
passengers and the compartment meant for physically challenged
persons will have wider doors, the spokesman said.
Wide windows of unbreakable and splinter proof poly
carbonate sheets have been provided for a panoramic view.
Anti-skid flooring and sliding doors have been provided
in the coaches and distinctive and attractive colour schemes
have been used.
Like the state-of-the art Delhi Metro, public information
system with display and automatic announcement are included in
the coaches.
The coaches have executive chair-car type seating
arrangement with fire resistant grade upholstery and reclining
mechanism.
In view of the climate of the valley, 1400 horse power
diesel engine for the train has been provided with heating
system for quick and trouble free starting in winters.
The driver's cab has heating and defogging unit keeping
in view the cold climate.
Snow cutting type cattle guard is attached at the
driver's end of the train for snow clearance from tracks
during winter.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had Friday inaugurated
the 450-M.W. Baglihar hydro electric power project built on
river Chenab in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav told reporters
that the railway project will usher prosperity in Kashmir
valley.
Asked about the delay in the commissioning of the
service, Yadav said his ministry had set the target of running
the service in 2008 and it has been done.
Saturday flagged off the first train service in Kashmir
valley, realising the decades old dream of the people in the
region through the prestigious project launched in 1998.
Singh, accompanied by United Progressive Alliance
(U.P.A.) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Railway Minister Lalu
Prasad Yadav and Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra,
flagged off the flower-decked train from Srinagar railway
station at Nowgam.
The train, which was flagged off 10 years after the
project was started by then Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral,
carried school children.
Initially, the train will run from Rajwansher in Budgam
district to Anantnag, covering a distance of 66 k.m., the
spokesman said, adding the fare for the travel will be Rs 15.
The regular service of the train will commence from
October 12. There will be an eight-coach DEMU rake in the
train, he said.
The stoppages will be at Budgam, Srinagar, Pampore,
Kakapora, Awantipora, Panjgam, Bijbehara, Rajwansher and
Anantnag, the spokesman said.
The train, which is expected to cover the 66 k.m. in
about one hour and 35 minutes including stoppage time at
various stations, will be run twice a day from either side.
The coaches will have a seating capacity for 90
passengers and the compartment meant for physically challenged
persons will have wider doors, the spokesman said.
Wide windows of unbreakable and splinter proof poly
carbonate sheets have been provided for a panoramic view.
Anti-skid flooring and sliding doors have been provided
in the coaches and distinctive and attractive colour schemes
have been used.
Like the state-of-the art Delhi Metro, public information
system with display and automatic announcement are included in
the coaches.
The coaches have executive chair-car type seating
arrangement with fire resistant grade upholstery and reclining
mechanism.
In view of the climate of the valley, 1400 horse power
diesel engine for the train has been provided with heating
system for quick and trouble free starting in winters.
The driver's cab has heating and defogging unit keeping
in view the cold climate.
Snow cutting type cattle guard is attached at the
driver's end of the train for snow clearance from tracks
during winter.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had Friday inaugurated
the 450-M.W. Baglihar hydro electric power project built on
river Chenab in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav told reporters
that the railway project will usher prosperity in Kashmir
valley.
Asked about the delay in the commissioning of the
service, Yadav said his ministry had set the target of running
the service in 2008 and it has been done.
