Yogesh
Jammu, Sep 4: Torrential rains and the flooding of rivers and streams across the Jammu division have inflicted heavy damage on the infrastructure and revenue streams of the Jammu Railway Division, leading to a near-complete halt in train operations and mounting financial losses.
According to the details available, rail services in the region were severely disrupted from August 26 to August 31, with both passenger and goods trains coming to a standstill in the wake of relentless weather.
Railway officials said that the Jammu Railway Division has already suffered losses exceeding Rs 25 crore due to the suspension of rail operations over the past seven days. Some revenue estimates place the figure even higher, at more than Rs 50 crore.
“If the suspension continues losses could soar past Rs 100 crore,” said an official.
A senior railway official revealed that the prospects for resuming goods train services before September 30 look bleak, given the extent of track damage caused by floods and landslides. “It is not possible to operate goods trains till the end of September if the current situation persists,” the official said.
Indian Railways data indicates that the Jammu Railway Division earns an average of Rs 2.5 crore per day from passenger ticket sales, over Rs 1 crore from freight, and around Rs 3 lakh from parcel services amounting to a daily revenue of more than Rs 3.5 crore. The week-long suspension of train operations has therefore resulted in substantial financial setbacks, affecting everything from ticketing to freight and parcel revenues. Despite the disruptions, the Railways managed to run five special trains for stranded passengers during the crisis, including three that were free of charge.
Furthermore, the impact of the suspension of goods trains has been particularly severe. On an average day, about 45 goods trains arrive in the Jammu Railway Division with 35 inbound and 10 outbound, carrying raw materials, cement, iron rods, government rations, fertilizers, and other essential commodities to Jammu and Kashmir from across the country.
With 50 passenger trains, including premium services like the Vande Bharat Express, also affected, the logistical challenges have multiplied. The halt in goods train operations has led to acute shortages in essential supplies, with industries and traders bearing the brunt.
The disruption comes at a particularly critical time for the region’s apple growers. This is peak apple season in Jammu and Kashmir, and apples destined for markets across India have been stranded. Plans to operate goods trains between Delhi and Anantnag to support the apple harvest have been shelved due to the damaged railway tracks.
Parcel services have also been hit hard. Normally, around 300 parcels are dispatched from Jammu daily, while approximately 500 packages arrive from other stations across the country. The halt has not only delayed deliveries but also impacted businesses relying on timely shipments. In recent months, the railways had efficiently transported large consignments of cherries to Mumbai, a service now brought to a standstill.
Repair work, as per the officials, is underway, but they caution that restoration will take time, especially with more rain forecast and the risk of further flooding. The railways have deployed additional teams and resources to expedite repairs, but the focus remains on safety and infrastructure integrity.
