Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a rail linebetween Katra and Udhampur
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- Category: National Political News
- Last Updated: Thursday, 22 January 2015 21:00
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated a rail linebetween Katra and Udhampur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday flagged off the Katra-Udhampur train service, calling it an "auspicious" moment for the country. "On the one side the auspicious Amarnath Yatra is on and on the other the auspicious month of Ramzan is on. And today ... the train service is starting," Modi said.
The 25-km rail link between Katra and Udhampur will provide a direct link to the Vaishno Devi temple from the rest of the country.
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. The 25 km long Udhampur-Katra line has been built at an estimated cost of Rs.1,132.75 crore.
Trains will be able to reach Katra directly as the 53-km Jammu-Udhampur rail line is already operational and now the Udhampur-Katra line, which is a part of the Kashmir rail link project, is being commissioned. This would enable pilgrims headed to the Vaishno Devi shrine to travel directly to the base camp at Katra.
"Till now there are three local train services between Jammu and Udhampur and all these will now be extended to Katra," said a senior railway ministry official.Railways is considering extending Jammu Mail and Sampark Kranti Express up to Katra, besides introducing new trains, including Katra-Kalka Express, New Delhi-Katra AC express.
There is also a possibility of launching a new train between Varanasi and Katra, said the official, adding the purpose is to connect two holy places by train.According to the official, there are demands from several zones for train services to Katra.
A set of local trains from Jammu to Katra and Pathankot to Katra is also likely to be introduced to cater to the rush of Vaishno Devi pilgrims. An estimated 10 million devotees visit the shrine every year. Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been stationed at vulnerable locations all along the track in protected bunkers to maintain round-the-clock vigil.
Katra station is equipped with modern facilities, including tourist guide counter, cloak room, waiting hall, VIP lounge, escalators and lifts and parking spaces.
- 11:03 am: PM suggests that new train to Katra be named Shreeshakti Express.
- 11:00 am: I have come here to Mata Vaishno Devi. I remember I began election campaign from here and today we begin our development journey from here: PM.
- 10:59 am: Today Jammu and Kashmir will get both speed and energy. I am inaugurating this and a power project later today: PM Narendra Modi.
- 10:58 am: The start made by Atalji of connecting Jammu and Kashmir through Railways, we have to take this ahead: PM.
- 10:56 am: I assure people of India that we will make our railway stations modern with proper facilities: PM Modi.
- 10:50 am: We will infact make Jammu's development more qualitative. Katra will develop very fast in the coming times: PM.
- 10:48 am: I assure you that there will be no shortage or obstacle in the development of Jammu: PM Modi
- 10:45 am: This is a facility not only for the people of Jammu and Kashmir but also for the people of India, who want to visit Jammu and Kashmir: PM Modi.
- 10:43 am: On one hand Amarnath Yatra is on. On the other hand it is Holy Month of Ramzan and here is a facility to connect devotees with Vaishno Devi: PM.
- 10:38 am: Hope Centre will extend rail network to areas like Sonmarg: Omar Abdullah.
source:indiatoday