J-K: Rail tunnel between Qazigund-Banihal to be used for plying vehicular traffic

The railway tunnel between Qazigund-Banihal would be used for plying vehicular traffic during extreme weather conditions and heavy snowfall on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

As a sequel to the decision of using the Qazigund-Banihal Railway tunnel for plying vehicular traffic during extreme weather conditions and heavy snowfalls, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday reviewed the operating procedures to be adopted while opening the tunnel at a meeting with officers of state government and Northern Railways, an official spokesman said.

During her trip to the national capital three days ago, Mehbooba had sought opening of the Railway tunnel for vehicular movement during heavy snowfalls and extreme winters.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabu had agreed to the suggestion and it was decided that working out of modalities would be followed soon, the spokesman said.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said the decision to use the Railway tunnel has been necessitated by the fact that many passenger vehicles get stranded on the same stretch of National Highway during heavy snowfalls and slippery conditions putting hundreds of passengers to risk.

She expressed her gratitude towards the Railway Minister for agreeing to her suggestion to use the tunnel during extreme weather conditions.

Mehbooba impressed upon the officers of state government and Northern Railways to fine tune the modalities further and incorporate each other’s views on how to optimally use the tunnel without disturbing railway movement through it. She stressed on maintaining close coordination in this regard.