Train to Kashmir hits the highway

All ready to guzzle in Kashmir's mesmerizing scenerypopulation around witnessed  as the train moved on
and to experience the hilly tack of Kashmir in a trainthe highway with the trucks and buses on the sides.
in snowy February 2007, the primary trial train toHit by surprise as the train zigzagged through the
Kashmir started off for the Valley not onhighway, bystanders on roads, in buses and from
conventional tracks but on the 300 km-longdwellings crowded the road  all around and stood
Jammu-Srinagar national main road, adding togetherastonished and flabbergasted. The sole difference in 
an additional significant episode to the Rs 4,700 crorethese trains is that they are fitted not with regular
Jammu-Udhampur-Qazigund-Srinagar-Baramulla nationaliron wheels but with unusual truck tyres that do not
railing plan.need tracks to move on. It was perhaps one of the
It is an adding up of a further division to an accountmost unfamiliar sight and the people of Kashmir were
of Indian Railways and Kashmir's national rail plan, asabsolutely zapped.
the first examination of diesel movable  coach  leftSuch an exhibition is an uncommon achievement of
for Kashmir's Budgam railway terminal by opting aengineering, has become a reality as first of 24
road route and not a train trail from Jammu railwaycoaches moved for Budgam railway terminal in central
station.Kashmir. It was made probable by substitute iron
Almost immediately after the 36-wheeled train drawnwheels of the coaches with truck tyres, which will be
by a 460 HP extraordinary engine started moving updrawn by a trailer-truck comprising 460 HP specifically
the Jammu-Srinagar highway at 0700 hours ,It seemsplanned engine.
unbelievable, but the train is moving on the highwayConsidering himself as a man on foot into the record
from Jammu to Badgam through Srinagar. It hasof Indian Railways and Kashmir rail development,
taken place for the first time in the history of thedriver of  the train Joginder Singh was a contented
Indian Railways that a DMU has scampered on a road.and swollen with pride . Coming from Bihar's Fazipora
Numerous Pujas were performed to mark theregion, Singh said, "I have done Indian Railways
auspicious occasion in the history of Indian Railways.pompous by moving a most priceless present to
The train fitted with nearly 36 big truck wheels Kashmiris.
moved through crisscrossed roads as all the