Indian Railways restores tracks, eight stations in flood-hit north Kashmir

Srinagar: Indian Railways, in coordination with state police, has restored a total of 57 km of tracks and made operational eight railway stations from Baramulla to Nowgam in north Kashmir, and efforts were on to make the remaining stations in south Kashmir functional. “57 km railway track from Baramulla to Nowgam has been restored and all the eight railway stations in North Kashmir have been made functional,” Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar said. [caption id=“attachment_1715575” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Sameer Yasir/ Firstpost[/caption] “Police, in coordination with the railways, has been undertaking strenuous efforts to restore train service in the Valley,” he said, adding the remaining railway stations in south Kashmir will start functioning within next few days. The DGP assured the railway authorities that police will provide all the required assistance for restoration of rail service in the flood-hit Valley. He said in order to coordinate in rescue and relief work with the civil administration, police tele-communication network is being strengthened and satellite phones, wireless sets are provided to the designated officers assigned with the rescue and relief operations. Police Tele-communication Control Room has been set up at Police Headquarters (PHQ) to facilitate the communication between different agencies involved in rescue operations and restoration works, he said. Kumar asked the officers of the force to mobilise their resources and coordinate with the civil administration to ease the problems of the people hit by devastating floods. The DGP directed all Zonal Inspectors General of Police, range DIGs, District Superintendents and Commandants of Armed and IRP battalions to mobilise their subordinate establishments and work round the clock for the rescue and assistance of the people in their respective areas. Kumar, during his visit to the flood-hit areas, sought reports from the field officers about the functioning of police establishments during the evacuation of people from the flood hit areas. He was told that police personnel under the command of senior officers rescued the people trapped in the floods. The DGP expressed satisfaction over the functioning of police stations hit by the floods, which have started their work of public service from the nearest safer locations. PTI