Onlykashmir.in News Desk
A catering staff member working on the Vande Bharat train was killed after being hit by a parcel train near Suthsoo Kalan in Srinagar on Thursday, officials said. The incident has cast a shadow over the Valley’s expanding rail network and has once again drawn attention to the dangers of being on or near railway tracks.
The deceased has been identified as Jaan Mohammad, son of Noor Mohammad, a resident of Sakri village in the Chasana area of Reasi district. He was a non-local employee in the Valley, engaged in on-board catering duties on the Vande Bharat service.
According to information received, the incident occurred near the railway track at kilometre point and electric pole number 61/05, an area that falls under the jurisdiction of Railway Police Station (RPS) Srinagar. Jaan Mohammad was found dead at the spot after being struck by the parcel train.
Further details, including how he came to be on the track at the time and the exact sequence of events, were not immediately available. Such cases are ordinarily handled through established police and railway procedures, which include examining the site, recording statements and completing legal formalities before the body is handed over to the family.
For the family in Chasana, far from the place where he worked, the loss is devastating. Catering and support staff on long-distance trains often spend long stretches away from home, working demanding schedules to support their households. The death of a family member in an accident of this kind brings grief and, in many cases, deep anxiety about the future of those who depended on his earnings.
The Kashmir rail link has transformed travel in the Valley, with trains such as the Vande Bharat now operating on the route and connecting the region more closely with the rest of the country. As services run at greater speed and frequency, the margin for error near the tracks narrows. Safety guidelines for railway operations consistently caution both the public and workers against crossing or walking on the lines, since fast-moving trains can be difficult to see or hear in time, particularly near curves, vegetation and overhead electric infrastructure.
The incident also underlines the need for sustained safety awareness among railway staff, contract workers and local residents alike, including clear protocols governing movement around stations and tracks. For an industry that depends on thousands of workers who operate far from their home districts, ensuring their safety on duty remains as important as the punctuality and comfort of the passengers they serve.
Officials are expected to share more information as the formalities progress.
