Subheadline: With only two trains running and ten coaches, locals and Amarnath Yatris suffer equally – Kashmir Railways under fire for negligence.
News Report:
Baramulla/Sangaldan | July 13, 2025 — Thousands of passengers, including local residents, women with infants, and elderly travelers, faced severe hardships today due to extreme overcrowding in trains running between Baramulla and Sangaldan. The situation worsened further as only two trains were scheduled on this vital route, despite the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
Commuters are questioning the Kashmir Railway authorities for reducing the number of bogies to just 10 and not introducing additional services despite knowing the high footfall during this season. One of the two trains was exclusively scheduled for Amarnath pilgrims from Katra to Kashmir, leaving the remaining limited capacity for ordinary travelers.
Eyewitnesses report passengers packed shoulder to shoulder with no room to stand or breathe properly, children crying, and mothers struggling to hold their babies in the congested environment. Basic amenities like ventilation and seating were practically inaccessible.
“This is not travel, it’s torture,” said a frustrated passenger from Sangaldan. “The government is showing no concern for local passengers. Yatris and residents are both suffering because of poor planning.”
There has been no official statement from the railway administration or the J&K government regarding plans to improve the situation. Calls are growing louder for urgent intervention by the authorities to:
Increase the number of coaches (bogies) per train
Add additional special trains for both Yatris and local commuters
Ensure better crowd management and passenger safety
As the Amarnath Yatra continues and daily life resumes for thousands of Kashmiris, the rail network must act swiftly to avoid further chaos and ensure safe travel for all.
