The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Tragedy struck late last night in Ramban district as two young men lost their lives in an accident, according to official sources.

The incident occurred near Battery Chashma along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway when the vehicle they were travelling in veered off the road, plunging into a deep gorge. Sources indicate that the driver lost control while navigating a sharp curve, causing the vehicle to plummet approximately 150 meters.

Efforts to rescue the occupants were launched immediately after the distress call was received. Police, civil QRT, and SDRF rushed to the scene, but despite their valiant efforts, the victims, identified as Hakam Din, aged 25, and Tariq Ahmed, aged 32, both residents of village Dalwa, Sangaldan in the Gool area of Ramban, succumbed to their injuries. They were pronounced dead upon arrival at District Hospital Ramban.

The local authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, with police registering a case under relevant sections of the law.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The Northern Railways is inching closer to connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the railway network in India, as it will start train services on the total 184-km-long Baramulla to Sangaldan sections of the USBRL project from February 20, railway sources said on Saturday.

A top railway official informed the news agency KNO that they are going to introduce a new MEMU and DMU train between the Baramulla and Sangaldan sections of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL), starting on February 20.

He said the work on Sangaldan to Katra in Reasi district is also nearing completion. “Though there is no exact deadline, the project is in the final stage. Ninety-six per cent of the project has been completed, and work is in full swing on the remaining 4%,” the official said.

He added despite facing numerous challenges, Northern Railways has been working diligently to complete the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to virtually inaugurate the newly completed 48-kilometer railway line between Banihal to Sangaldan and Chenab Rail Bridge on February 20.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse