‘Udhampur-Baramulla line will give much better connectivity’
*Chenab, Anji Khad bridges unparalleled examples of engineering
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 6: Ahead of the launch of train to Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today virtually inaugurated Jammu Railway Division from New Delhi saying Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla (USBRL) rail line which is being talked about in the entire country will link Jammu and Kashmir with much better connectivity in India.
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Addressing the function through video conferencing after inauguration of Jammu Railway Division and other railway projects in Odisha and Telangana, Modi described inauguration of the Jammu Railway Division as a historic milestone in the integration of Jammu and Kashmir into the national railway network as also in the development of infrastructure and connectivity of the Union Territory. Click here to watch video
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw too joined the function virtually while prominent among those present at the function held at Jammu Railway Station were Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lok Sabha Member from Jammu Jugal Kishore Sharma, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma, MLA Bahu Vikram Randhawa, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and senior officers of the Railway, civil and police administration.
“Completion of the Chenab bridge which is world’s highest railway arch bridge and Anji Khad bridge, country’s first cable-stayed bridge will play a key role in connecting Jammu and Kashmir with rest of India besides providing convenience to the people of Leh-Ladakh,’’ the Prime Minister said.
He described Chenab and Anji Khad bridges, which fall in Reasi district of Jammu region on Katra-Baramulla railway track, as unparalleled examples of engineering leading to economic progress in the region and promoting prosperity.
Modi said as the railway network expands, new divisions and headquarters are being set up which will benefit the regions like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Leh-Ladakh. He added that the inauguration of the Jammu division has finally made the Indian railways a global leader.
He said the USBRL was an example of India’s commitment to ‘Sabha Saath, Sabka Vikas’ and inauguration of Jammu Railway Division was the living proof of the fact that the country is moving forward.
“The launch of rail infrastructure projects in Jammu-Kashmir, Telangana and Odisha will promote tourism and add to socio-economic development in these regions,” Modi wrote on his X handle.
Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated the new Jammu Railway Division and laid the foundation stone of Rayagada Railway Division Building of East Coast Railway and inaugurated the Charlapalli New Terminal Station in Telangana.
“Creation of the Jammu Railway Division, with 742.1 KM comprising Pathankot – Jammu – Udhampur – Srinagar – Baramulla, Bhogpur Sirwal – Pathankot, Batala – Pathankot and Pathankot to Joginder Nagar sections, will significantly benefit Jammu and Kashmir and surrounding regions, fulfilling the long pending aspiration of the people and improving connectivity to other parts of India. It will create employment opportunities, infrastructure development, promote tourism and lead to overall socio-economic development of the region,’’ an official statement said.
“To achieve a truly developed Bharat, the development of railways is very essential. It is because of this realisation that during the last decade, the Indian Railways has undergone transformational changes with regard to modernisation, facilities and connectivity,” the Prime Minister said.
He said in the last decade, 30,000 Km of railway track, reaching close to 100 per cent electrification of railways was achieved as against just 35 per cent in 2014. There are new and hitherto unknown opportunities for trade, employment, education and business because of the modernisation of the Indian Railways. Lakhs of youths have been employed by the railways in the last 10 years and initiatives like the Gati Shakti University will further enhance the employability chances, he added.
Modi said more than 50 Vande Bharat trains are presently operational reducing distances between places and saving precious time for the passengers. While referring to the metro train facility that has grown to 21 cities today, he said time is not very far when bullet trains will operate in the country.
The Railways had undergone a historic transformation in the past decade. It has led to a change in India’s image and a boost in people’s morale, he said.
People increasingly want to spend less time covering long distances, leading to a rise in the demand for high-speed trains, the Prime Minister said.
With Modi launching a number of infrastructure projects in the past few days, he said India maintained a fast pace in connectivity in the new year.
It is a big day in “new-age connectivity” for many parts of the country, he said of the projects launched on Monday.
Modi asserted that the modernisation of infrastructure, providing modern amenities to passengers, boosting connectivity to all parts of the country, and supporting employment and industry were the ideas guiding the development in the rail sector.
He also gave details of the expansion of the Metro network and changes brought in the Railways.
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