To boost tourist traffic to Kashmir Valley, the Indian Railways has launched a unique initiative through Rail-cum-Road bridging scheme. Under this arrangement, a single ticket will be issued for passengers covering the dual modes of transportation.
The scheme has been introduced from July 6 after signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Northern Railways and the J&K State Government.
As part of this initiative passengers booked to travel into the Kashmir Valley, can disembark at Udhampur to board dedicated buses and be driven to Banihal, from where they can take the waiting train to their destination. The same facility will be available for return journey also, official sources said.
In the first phase 12445/12446 Uttar Sampark Kranti train has been planned between New Delhi to Udham-pur. Train No. 74639/74640 shall be the link train between Banihal and Srinagar/Budgam under this scheme. Apart from normal class fare, passengers will be charged Rs 260 for one way road journey.