Jammu
With two engineering marvels—world’s highest rail arch bridge over Chenab river and India’s first cable stayed rail bridge over Anji river in J&K, the Northern Railways can give an impetus to tourism by announcing halt of Vande Bharat trains on the arch bridge.
“The arch bridge keeps attracting huge tourists. We would love to see the Vande Bharat trains halted on it for say, 3 to 5 minutes so that the tourists can capture the scenic beauty,” said Rakesh Kumar, a tourist from Ludhiana.
Kumar further said that direct train to Kashmir has become the most preferred mode to transport for the tourists.
“The arch bridge is well secured and protected 24×7. The decision to stop the train for 3 to five minutes will certainly help the tourists to enjoy the scenic beauty comprising hills, Chenab beneath and a skyline across the horizon,” said Kumar’s wife Pooja.
Like the couple there were several other tourists who also recommended that the Vande Bharat trains can be stopped for a few minutes.
“Our PM Narendra Modi ji walked on the deck of the bridge and described it a symbol of India’s strength and conviction. The Railways can go a step further and announced brief halt on the bridge. It can be done on weekdays, if not regularly,” said Upendra Dixit from Pune.
Meanwhile, in view of the anticipated heavy influx of tourists and the palpable excitement expected during the upcoming summer holidays in the Kashmir Valley (under the jurisdiction of the Jammu Division), the Jammu Division has launched special ‘Tourist Welcome and Facilitation Counters’ at Srinagar Railway Station. The objective of this visionary initiative is to provide high-quality amenities and guidance to every tourist setting foot in the Valley.
With the establishment of these facilitation centers, passengers arriving in Srinagar will now have access to all essential tourism-related information—right within the station premises—under a single roof.
It is often observed that first-time visitors to Kashmir face difficulties in obtaining information regarding local travel and sightseeing destinations. This initiative aims to bridge that gap. Trained personnel stationed here will provide prompt information to passengers regarding local tourist spots, transportation options, and other essential services. A confluence of Revenue and Service: This project is not limited merely to providing service; it will also serve as a robust avenue for the Railway to generate ‘Non-Fare Revenue.’ This model demonstrates how the Railway can simultaneously strengthen its economic resources while expanding passenger amenities. A Commitment to a Superior Travel Experience: Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Jammu Division, stated, “Our goal is not merely to transport passengers to their destination, but to make their entire journey a memorable one. These counters, launched at Srinagar Station, will instill a sense of safety and comfort in the minds of tourists, thereby giving a significant boost to Kashmir tourism.” Through these counters, the Railway administration will provide tourists with comprehensive information regarding Kashmir’s various tourist attractions.
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