SRINAGAR: Northern Railway has cancelled three DEMU train services on the Banihal–Baramulla section from July 11 to July 25, 2026, to facilitate critical track maintenance works aimed at enhancing the safety and reliability of railway operations in the Kashmir Valley.
According to an official train handling plan issued by the railway authorities, the cancellations are necessitated by high-temperature pre-BCM destressing of Long Welded Rail (LWR) ahead of Ballast Cleaning Machine (BCM) deep screening works on the Banihal–Baramulla section under the jurisdiction of the Assistant Divisional Engineer (ADEN), Budgam.
The cancelled services are Train No. 74615 (Banihal–Baramulla), Train No. 74632 (Baramulla–Budgam) and Train No. 74628 (Budgam–Banihal).
The railway document states that the engineering work is part of a planned maintenance programme to improve track stability during high temperatures and prepare the railway line for deep ballast cleaning. The proposal has been approved by the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Jammu.
The temporary suspension of the three services is expected to affect hundreds of daily commuters, including students, office-goers, traders and other passengers who depend on the Banihal–Baramulla rail corridor for regular travel.
