Kashmir is now connected to other parts of India through a new 41 miles line, thus giving the valley its very first train service. India has managed to open the service despite the ongoing violence in the region and overcoming a continuous battle for the past eight years through its harsh cold weather, the mountains and above all, Islamic rebellion.

The Indian Railways has also made provisions for online booking of train tickets for Kashmir. The Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flagged of the first train from Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir on Saturday. It travelled along the much discussed 73-mile newly laid railway line. Till date work has been completed on 41 miles on the new line connecting the city of Baramulla, in the north to Qazigund, the town in south. Efforts are ongoing to connect other parts of the region to the rest of India through the railway network.

Report from Indian officials reveals that the project cost around 277 million pounds which goes down in history books as an achievement of railway engineering, full of courage, skills and endurance. This feat comes second to China’s railway link to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, completed in the year 2006. The project to link Kashmir with India began in 2000, involving thousands of engineers, braving their way from continuous attacks and threats by militants and the conditions in the region during harsh and long cold winters. Lives have been lost by young engineers due to constant attacks by militants in the year 2004 and 2007. The Prime Minister’s visit for the opening ceremony was marked by violence and resentment as a day before two Muslims were shot by police during demonstrations. The separatist leaders along with trade unions closed shops, offices and schools calling off a two day strike thus protesting against the PM’s visit to the region.

The new line for Kashmir consists of nine stations. There are two trains to run on the line, coupled with air-conditioned carriages having large windows allowing the passengers to view and enjoy the scenic beauty of the valley. The train is a boon to local people living along the railway route in remote areas as the train will take half the time taken earlier to reach a destination. Hopes are pinned on the train service by the Government for providing a boost in the economy of this Muslim dominated region, as since 1989, violence against the uprising Indian rule has been fuelled by poverty and low quality public service. A new railway police force will guard the new trains for Kashmir against attacks.