KATRA/JAMMU, Dec 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the second Vande Bharat train running between Katra in Jammu and Kashmir and New Delhi. The event, attended by Union Minister Jitendra Singh in Katra, marked a New Year’s gift for the Union territory. During the ceremony, LG Manoj Sinha expressed optimism about the upcoming railway link between Kashmir and Kanyakumari, expected to be completed early next year.
Speaking at the Katra railway station, LG Manoj Sinha conveyed his anticipation for the dedicated railway link connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari, emphasizing its historic significance for the entire nation. The under-construction 111-km Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) is set to be completed in the next four months, establishing a train connection from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
Among the six Vande Bharat trains flagged off by the Prime Minister, one is exclusively designated for the route from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to New Delhi. This marks the second Vande Bharat train for Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting Modi’s commitment to the region’s development, as highlighted by LG Sinha.
LG Sinha noted the improved connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country since August 2019. He highlighted the successful operation of the first Vande Bharat train between Katra and New Delhi in October 2019, resulting in a significant increase in pilgrim footfall at the Vaishno Devi shrine.
Additionally, LG Sinha provided updates on the ongoing work to upgrade the Jammu, Budgam, and Udhampur railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Scheme, with a total investment of Rs 6,003 crore. He also mentioned the introduction of the state-of-the-art Vistadome coach in Kashmir and ongoing location surveys for four new railway lines in the region.
In conclusion, LG Sinha emphasized the transformative impact of the expanding railway network in Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. He expressed confidence that the railway infrastructure would play a pivotal role in changing the region’s overall development, peace, and prosperity.
