Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday undertook a train journey through the 11-km long tunnel under the Pir Panjal mountain ranges along with school children most of whom travelled by rail for the first time.
Singh interacted with students during the 18-km train journey from Banihal to Qazigund which reduces the distance between the two towns by nearly half. The Banihal-Qazigund rail section includes an 11-km long tunnel, the country's longest, built at a cost of Rs 1,691 crore.
Singh asked one of the girl students seated next to him whether she had travelled by train earlier, to which she replied in the negative. United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was seated a couple of rows behind the prime minister and was seen chatting with the students.
The train travel by Singh and Gandhi was being planned for almost a week and was kept under the wraps for security reasons. Singh and Gandhi boarded the train after the flagging off ceremony at Banihal this afternoon. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge were also in the train.
The train will start regular operations from Banihal to Baramulla from Thursday making five trips daily beginning at 7.10 am from Banihal and 7.35 am from Baramulla. Omar Farooq, who accompanied Singh and Gandhi, said he will never forget this ride.
"I have never thought to cross Pir Panjal from Jammu to Kashmir in the company of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi," he said.
The train ride was a rare departure from the protocol for the dignitaries as they travel mostly by air. Locals are hopeful that the train will bring prosperity in the area as the Banihal-Qazigund section will provide an all weather and reliable connectivity to the Valley from Jammu.
The train will start regular operations from Banihal to Baramulla from Thursday making five trips daily beginning at 7.10 am from Banihal and 7.35 am from Baramulla. "Now I will be able to go to Srinagar very often as it will cost Rs 20 only," said an excited Famida, who witnessed the flagging off the train to Qazigund.
"Private vehicles use to charge Rs 160 per person and take more about four hours. But with the train operation, we will reach Srinagar in less than two hours," she said.
Echoing her feeling, Tina Dhar, another resident of a nearby village who came to Banihal with her entire family, said "We are planning to visit Srinagar on June 28 in the train."
The historic ride was shown live on a giant screen put up at the site. Supporters of Congress and National Conference were in good strength with party flags and banners on the occasion.
Image: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh travels in the train from Banihal to Qazigund along with a group of school children, in Jammu and Kashmir.
Picture courtesy: PIB
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