A fortnightly specialtrain service for children would be started in Kashmir from December 11 between Banihal and Baramulla stations as Chief Minister MehboobaMufti reviewed arrangements at ameeting here.
The meeting deliberated on logistic arrangements and other issues for running the train service, an official spokesman said today.
Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar was also present in the meeting.
The decision to start a fortnightly train services exclusively for children was taken in a meeting between the UnionMinister for RailwaysSuresh Prabhu and the Chief Minister at New Delhi last week.
In the meeting she had requested for such a train service in view of the limited outing facilities available to kids in the Valley.
Muftiwas informed the children's trainwoulddepart Banihal every alternateSundaystartingDecember 11 at 8.15 amand reach Baramulla at10.40 amfrom where it would return at10.50 amto reach Banihal at01.35 pm.
The train would again move from Banihal at02.10 pmand reach Baramulla at05.05 pmto finally return at05.15 pmfor the day.
It wasdecided to nominate nodal officers from the EducationDepartment of every district. Besides a nodal officer from the Directorate of Education to maintain close liaison with Railway authorities.
The Chief Minister asked the Education Department and railway authorities to coordinate with each other to further fine-tune arrangements for the proposed ride.
Mehbooba said the children of the Valley have generally limited facilities of outing available and this facility would give them an opportunity to know their province and state, and mingle with children of other areas.
The train will have halts at Qazigund,Anantnag, Awantipora, Srinagar, Budgam and Sopore before reaching Baramulla.
Initially, students from government-run schools will be taken on the train ride but later it will beopened to children of private schools.
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