Omar Extols PM for Enhancing Road Connectivity in J&K
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addressed concerns over potential negative consequences for Jammu following the imminent launch of a direct rail service connecting Kashmir to the mainland, emphasizing that his government is committed to ensuring significant benefits for the region from the long-awaited project.
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During a ceremony marking the virtual inauguration of the Jammu Railway Division by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abdullah spoke excitedly about the expected commencement of direct train services to Kashmir from Katra, with the final trial run scheduled for Tuesday.
“Just two days ago, we received news that the trial train successfully traveled from Srinagar to Katra. We anticipate that the Prime Minister will soon officially inaugurate this route, creating substantial benefits for the people of our region,” stated the Chief Minister.
However, he acknowledged some apprehensions among the population concerning the new rail service, particularly in Jammu. “When the rail service first connected Jammu to Pathankot, some challenges arose in that area. There is a concern that a similar situation may occur if trains connect Kashmir directly to Jammu,” he said.
“On behalf of my government, I want to assure the people of Jammu that the new rail service to Kashmir will not adversely affect the region. In fact, we believe it will enhance trade and tourism while increasing travel between both regions,” Abdullah assured.
Commending the Prime Minister for his initiatives to bolster connectivity and road infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah noted that the further expansion of the railway line to Poonch-Rajouri in Jammu and beyond Baramulla in Kashmir falls under the jurisdiction of the Jammu Railway Division.
“My last event as Chief Minister during my previous tenure was the inauguration of the Katra railway station. And now, in my first significant function after reassuming office, I am again engaged in a railway-related event led by Modi,” he stated.
He asserted that the inauguration of the Jammu division vividly illustrates the Prime Minister’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and infrastructure in the area. Abdullah emphasized that ongoing projects, such as the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway, the four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, and the Z-morh and Zojila tunnels for all-weather road access to Ladakh, along with airport expansions, will significantly improve connectivity once completed.
Applauding the Railway Ministry, Abdullah noted that previously, travelers would disembark in Pathankot before the train slowly made its way to Jammu. “In the past forty years, railway services have progressively expanded — first from Jammu to Udhampur, and then from Udhampur to Katra. Similarly, the railway service in Kashmir began in Srinagar and was extended to Baramulla, Anantnag, and Banihal, later reaching Sangaldan,” he remarked.
Highlighting the sharp increase in airfare during the winter months, which often results in high ticket prices when roads remain snowbound, Abdullah expressed hope that the new rail service would not only benefit the railways but also stimulate trade and industries with the introduction of cargo trains.
He congratulated the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir for acquiring a distinct railway division in Jammu, fulfilling a long-standing demand. “I am grateful to Prime Minister Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw,” he stated. “Importantly, the coordination and oversight will now be managed from Jammu rather than Firozpur. This will create more benefits for recruitment and includes a small section of Punjab and parts of Himachal Pradesh,” Abdullah concluded.
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