Srinagar: At the Nowgam railway station, the platforms are busier than usual. Families with bags in tow, students clutching backpacks, and traders with sacks of goods crowd near the carriages, waiting for the train that will take them to Jammu.
For the past two weeks, as the Srinagar–Jammu national highway remains closed due to incessant rains, landslides, and shooting stones, the railway has become a lifeline for thousands of stranded commuters.
The highway blockade has not only disrupted the supply of essentials but also cut off the Valley’s main road connectivity with the rest of the country. Yet, unlike the road, trains continue to run uninterrupted.
“We were scheduled to appear in our exams this week in Chandigarh. Since airfare has skyrocketed, the train was the only hope for students like us. Thankfully, we reached our destination on time and appeared in our exams,” said Sahil Mir, a B.Tech student.
For residents, the train has not just been a matter of convenience but a necessity. “I had to travel to Jammu for a medical appointment. With the highway shut, the train was the only option. It’s cheaper and more dependable,” said Shabir Ahmad, a resident of Anantnag, as he boarded the train with his family.
Northern Railways officials claimed passenger numbers have surged since the highway closure. “We have seen as much as a 40% increase in passenger traffic during the blockade,” the officials noted.
Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer, Northern Railways, told The Kashmir Monitor that the railways have emerged as the most reliable and affordable option for commuters between the two divisions. “Railways were introduced to ensure round-the-year connectivity. Local residents pay less to reach their destinations. Right now, two pairs of trains are plying to and fro between Katra and Srinagar,” he said.
Officials said the rush is expected to increase as bad weather continues across Jammu and Kashmir. “As the highway closure stretches on, the sight of packed compartments and crowded station platforms underscores a simple reality: the railway is not just a mode of transport, but a vital connector keeping life moving between the Valley and Jammu,” they said.
How Kashmir train has emerged as lifeline for commuters
