Click to play videoSrinagar: The Kashmir Valley on Saturday got its first train service just a few weeks ahead of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
Sources have told CNN-IBN that Assembly elections will be scheduled between November 15 and December 5.
In Kashmir, it was history in the making as the very first train to the Valley rolled out of the Nowgam station.
Crowds cheered as the beautifully decorated train was flagged off by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who not only reached out to the people but also promised a mixed bag of development and prosperity.
As the train chugged on Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad could not hide his excitement.
"It is a historical day for Jammu and Kashmir and its people. The rail line will lead to more development as infrastructure is essential for development. People can now travel 66 km from today onwards," Lalu said.
Though Srinagar remained tense over the killing of two youths and a bandh called by separatists, the excitement over the Qazigund-Baramulla railway service was still evident.
"PM's inauguration of train will benefit the people of Kashmir. Distances will shorten," Ishfaq, a student, said.
"It would help only if there is rail connection to Jammu onwards,'' another resident Mohammad Jamal added.
The trains plying on the route will be specially equipped to deal with the harsh winter conditions and most of the 320-kilometer long line is already complete.
But laying the line on the mountainous stretch between Katra and Qazigund remains an uphill task.
The United Progressive Alliance is hoping that the new railway line will earn it some votes in the upcoming Assembly elections.
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