MP Mian Altaf Demands Vande Bharat Stop at Anantnag Station | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Anantnag–Rajouri Member of Parliament Mian Altaf has written to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, requesting that Anantnag Railway Station be included as a scheduled stop for the Vande Bharat Express on the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).

In his letter, Altaf described the launch of the Vande Bharat Express in Kashmir as a milestone connecting the Valley to the national rail network, but expressed concern over the absence of a halt at Anantnag, calling it an inconvenience for South Kashmir residents.

“Anantnag is the administrative and commercial centre of South Kashmir, serving nearly 2.5 million people across Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, and Pulwama,” he said, noting that official data consistently lists Anantnag among the busiest stations in the Valley.

The MP highlighted that while Banihal primarily functions as a transit point, Anantnag handles a large permanent population including students, traders, professionals, and government employees. He welcomed experimental stoppages at stations such as Reasi but said Anantnag’s passenger volume far exceeds that of Reasi.

“Providing a stoppage at Anantnag would ensure equitable access to premium rail services for South Kashmir, which has a larger catchment area than Banihal and Reasi combined,” he added.

Altaf also pointed out Anantnag’s strategic and cultural significance, noting it is the main gateway to Pahalgam and the Amarnath Cave shrine, and is home to heritage sites including the Martand Sun Temple, Mughal Gardens, and Verinag.

He further said the station, opened for goods traffic in August 2025, has become important for South Kashmir’s horticulture sector, particularly for apple and fresh produce growers. A Vande Bharat halt, he said, would support business travel, tourism, and faster transport of high-value goods.

Calling the Vande Bharat Express a symbol of modernisation, Altaf said that not stopping at Anantnag was creating a sense of regional imbalance. “A two-minute halt would not affect the train’s overall schedule but would greatly improve travel and economic integration,” he stated.

The MP urged the Railway Minister to direct authorities to designate Anantnag as an official stop at the earliest, adding that the move would be welcomed by South Kashmir residents and mark another people-focused initiative of the Ministry.