Title - Protesters bring Qazigund-Banihal railway trial run to a halt Angry villagers demand promised jobs,

Srinagar/Anatnag: The first trial run on the 17.5-km rail link from Qazigund in the Kashmir valley to Banihal in the Jammu region hit a roadblock soon after it began this afternoon.The trial was stopped mid-way by protesting locals, demanding fulfilment of the promises made to them.Locals halted the trial run at Humu village, some 5 km ahead of Qazigund railway station, alleging that they were not provided the jobs promised to them by the railway authorities at the time of land acquisition. “We were promised jobs in the Railways besides compensation for the land we provided. But nobody has got a job so far,” said a protester.The protesters also demanded a railway station in their village. “The railway authorities had assured us that the train will have a stoppage at our village. Now they are conducting a trial without bothering to give us what was promised,” another protester said.The protesting locals blocked the railway track and threatened that unless their demands were fulfilled, they would not let the railway authorities run the service.The Chief Controller of the Railways, Nand Lal, said jobs had already been given to the people of the area and they were only protesting for a stoppage at their village. “We will take up the matter with the higher-ups and only then any decision for a re-run will be taken,” said the Chief Controller. The 17.5-km railway line from Qazigund to Banihal also includes an 11-km-long tunnel. Railway officials had been ready for the engine trial for the last one week. “We are holding talks with villagers and it is hoped the engine trial will be done shortly,” said another railway official.“After the trial run, an inspection will be conducted by Railway Safety Board officials, who will decide when the train will actually ply between Qazigund and Banihal,” he added.

KASHMIR RAIL NETWORK

The rail work from Qazigund to Banihal was awarded to Hindustan Construction Company in August 2005.

The trains in Kashmir cover 119 km between Baramulla in the north and Qazigund in the south.

The first phase of the rail service between Anantnag and Budgam districts was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on October 11, 2008.

The second phase of the train between Budgam and Baramulla was flagged off on February 14, 2009, followed by the third phase between Anantnag and Qazigund on October 28, 2009.