Srinagar, May 3 -- Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mohammed Ashraf Malik on Sunday welcomed the Union Railway authorities' decision to start direct train services between Jammu and Srinagar, terming it a "significant and positive step" for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a press statement here, however, Malik urged the Union Railway Minister to provide a short halt for major trains at Qazigund Railway Station, citing the large population that depends on the station for daily travel.

He said Qazigund serves as a crucial railway point for people from Doru, Verinag, Kokernag, Devsar and several adjoining areas, where thousands of students, traders, employees and patients regularly rely on rail services.

"The absence of a ...