Snow on Tracks for Locals, Clear for Vande Bharat? Railways Face Public Anger in Kashmir

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, Jan 27: As fresh snowfall brought life to a standstill across Kashmir—severing road and air connectivity—the railways, often the Valley’s last dependable link, came under intense public scrutiny after suspending regular passenger trains while allowing premium Vande Bharat services to operate on the same tracks.

Citing “snowfall on tracks,” routine local train services were abruptly cancelled, leaving thousands of daily commuters stranded without prior notice. However, the continued operation of Vande Bharat trains along identical routes sparked widespread anger and allegations of a two-tier, profit-driven approach during a weather emergency.

The selective suspension has led commuters to question the credibility of the railway’s safety explanation.

“Today, morning trains were canceled without prior notice. The reason given was snowfall on the tracks,” said one aggrieved commuter. “But the baffling part is that Vande Bharat trains were running smoothly on the same tracks. Is this not a clear business strategy?”

Sareer, a regular train user, alleged a calculated pattern behind the cancellations.

“Services were suddenly halted citing snow, but other trains later resumed. This appears to be a new method to promote business at the cost of public convenience,” he said.

Highlighting the plight of ordinary passengers, he added, “Delays and cancellations are now routine. The government’s focus seems solely on Vande Bharat. It is a good train, but common people rely on ordinary trains because they cannot afford expensive tickets. I use them to save money. Now, the strategy seems to be to push people toward the premium service.”

Commuters stressed that during extreme weather, trains are often the only viable mode of transport in Kashmir. Cancelling affordable services while running premium trains, they argue, undermines the railways’ responsibility as a public utility.

When contacted, PRO Railways Kashmir, Raghvendra Singh, told Kashmir Convener that he was “not aware” of the specific public concerns but acknowledged the genuineness of the grievances. He said he would “bring the matter to higher authorities and look into it.”

Meanwhile, Northern Railway’s Jammu Division said it operated a special reserved train between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, ferrying over 1,350 passengers in both directions, describing it as an effort to mitigate disruptions caused by heavy snowfall.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said that the initiative was part of the railways’ commitment to passenger convenience, especially during extreme weather.

“The special train recorded an occupancy of over 100 percent and has ensured seamless connectivity between Katra and the Kashmir Valley. Such services are crucial during the snowy season, enhancing travel safety and supporting tourism in the region,” Singhal said.

He added that the proactive operation of special trains during weather emergencies is likely to boost tourist confidence and inflow into Kashmir during the winter months.

Railway authorities said they are monitoring weather conditions and passenger demand and may operate additional special trains if required.

However, passengers insist the core question remains unanswered: Why were regular local trains declared unsafe on the same tracks where Vande Bharat services continued to operate? Until clarified, the railways face mounting criticism over what many perceive as an inequitable system during a time of public hardship.