GRP seeks Rs 50 cr from Railways in J&K

“We are hopeful of getting the amount (Rs 50 crore) soon as matter is being pursued at the higher level,” said Navin Agarwal,Inspector General of GRP,J&K.

Railways and state governments equally share the expenditure incurred on GRP across the country while RPF is a railway organisation. The role of GRP in J&K becomes more crucial after the opening of rail line in the Valley. However,railways have not paid its 50 per cent share of expenditure to the state yet.

“It is a matter of policy that state government and Railways share the expenditure incurred on GRP. If there is any outstanding dues of Rs 50 crore to GRP in J&K then it will be surely given,” said a senior Railway Ministry official.

The official said railways have undertaken construction of police station buildings and police posts for GRP near the stations in Kashmir. It has also constructed barracks and duty huts for GRP jawans in the Valley. “This will enable the GRP to remain available near the railway stations and tracks and responds quickly to any emergent situation,” the official said,adding,”this will also facilitate passengers to promptly report any crime to the police.

GRP along with RPF played a vital role in restoring the train services in the Valley,which was disrupted due to the violence last year. The 119 km-long rail line between Qazigund and Baramulla in the Valley became fully operational in 2009.

However,train operation was suspended on July 2010 after the massive destruction of railway track and signal system and looting and arson at Sopore railway station,Budgam railway yard and other railway installations in the Valley.

A review of the entire 119 km-long damaged track in Kashmir Valley with 15 stations was undertaken jointly by GRP and RPF. A road map with coordinated security was drawn up to begin reconstruction and restoration work in a phased manner. The train service resumed on December 23,2010 after the repairing of track between Qazigund and Srinagar and the service was extended to Hamray on March 2011.

“We have introduced beat system for track patrolling and streamline the access control and bring about systematic improvement in GRP and RPF deployment to protect all remaining stations and tracks,” said Agarwal.

He said in order to elicit cooperation of locals,regular police-public meetings in villages adjoining railway tracks were conducted. “Those railway employees who had fled after threat of life in August 2010 were provided proper security and were made to return for duties,” Agarwal said,adding “The train service with full security arrangements from Hamrey to Baramulla is likely to resume soon as the repairs of track are going to be completed shortly.”

The 16 km long Banihal-Qazigund rail line is expected to be operational in 2012 and with this Valley will be linked with the rest of the country with rail which will begin a new chapter for railways.