‘Vajpayee’s Kashmir dream will be realised’
PTI
NEW DELHIM JULY 4
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today declared that the Centre wants to win the hearts of people of Jammu and Kashmir through development as he flagged off the train linking Katra--the base camp for pilgrims headed to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine nestled in the Trikuta hills.
Suggesting that the train be named ‘Shree Shakti Express’, Modi, who is on his maiden visit to J&K after assuming power, said the state has gone through many “problems and difficulties” and the country wants it to be “prosperous and peaceful”. ‘Shree’ is one of the names of Goddess Durga.
The train connectivity to Katra is part of the ambitious Kashmir rail link project that will connect the Valley with the rest of the country. The last link between Katra and Banihal pass, is expected to be completed by 2018.
The 25-km long Udhampur-Katra line, commissioned after prolonged delays, has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,132.75 crore.
The train will traverse through seven tunnels and over 30 small and large bridges. There will be a small station - Chakrakhwal - between Udhampur and Katra.
Trains will be able to reach Katra directly as the 53-km Jammu-Udhampur rail line is already operational. This would enable lakhs of pilgrims headed to the revered Vaishno Devi shrine to travel directly to the base camp at Katra.
“I congratulate the crores of devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi, who want to come here for pilgrimage from all across the country,” Modi said while dedicating the train to the nation.
The Prime Minister said the new rail link will speed up the process of development in the state.
“The journey started by Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be continued. Our priority is to win the hearts of every citizen of this state through development,” Modi said.
Modi said the train is a gift not just for people of J and K but for the whole of India
At the function at the Katra station where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was among others present, the Prime Minister refrained from touching upon any political issue facing the state.
The Prime Minister also allayed the fears of the people of Jammu, who feel that the direct rail link to Katra will have negative impact on the development of their city, saying the “development of Jammu will not be stalled.”
Restrictions imposed in parts of Srinagar city
Authorities today imposed restrictions in parts of the city to prevent any law and order situation in view of the separatists’ strike call against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed in Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, M R Gunj and Safakadal police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure, a senior police official said.
He said the restrictions were imposed as there was apprehension about some persons creating trouble during the Prime Minister’s visit to the state today.
Elsewhere in the city, police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in strength to ensure that Modi’s visit passes off peacefully, the official said.
During his visit to the state today, the Prime Minister will inaugurate a rail link to put Katra on the railway map and address a Sanik Samelan here.
Meanwhile, normal life across the valley was disrupted due to the strike call given by all the three factions of Hurriyat Conference and JKLF against Modi’s visit.
Schools, colleges, business establishments, banks and petrol pumps remained closed while public transport remained off the roads due to the strike.
However, few private cars and cabs ferrying tourists could be seen plying on the roads in the city.
