End of Agony

The development of any nation depends significantly on its transportation infrastructure, which connects people, fosters trade, and stimulates economic growth. To establish international trade, a country must first develop trade and business within its borders. The availability of connectivity plays a crucial role in the growth of commerce, which is the backbone of any economy. In our country, railways are the most vital contributor to different modes of transportation, and trade promotion and commerce depend heavily on railways.

Tourism is a significant factor that fosters economic growth, and transportation plays a significant role. The better the transportation infrastructure, the more tourists are likely to visit, which can lead to more economic growth for the region.

However, certain regions, such as the Kashmir valley, face significant connectivity issues that hamper trade, commerce, and tourism. The hilly terrain of the region makes road connectivity without train service exhausting. Private transporters charge high fares to travel this long and hilly road, making it economically burdensome. Moreover, weather conditions, such as heavy snowfall and landslides, make travel unpredictable, blocking the road for several days and causing human lives and heavy business losses. These adverse conditions not only hinder trade and commerce but also affect tourism in the valley.

In response to these challenges, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, unveiled several railway initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir to enhance connectivity, promote environmental sustainability, and stimulate the overall economic growth of the region. These initiatives include the inauguration of a new rail route from Banihal to Khari to Sumber to Sangaldan, covering a distance of 48 km.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the newly electrified Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section, stretching over 185.66 km of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project. He will also launch the first electric train in the valley and commence train services between Sangaldan and Baramulla stations.

These railway initiatives are significant because they aim to address the connectivity issues that have hindered economic growth in the region. For safety and rescue purposes, the section includes three escape tunnels totalling 30.1 km in length. Additionally, 30 curves covering 23.72 kilometres are integrated into the section to enhance passenger safety and comfort. Advanced features like ballastless tracks and canted turnouts, a first for Indian Railways, have been integrated to improve passenger safety. Completing the electrification of the Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section of the Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is a significant achievement. Serving 19 railway stations, this section is now equipped with Ballastless Track (BLT), ensuring a smoother ride for passengers. Moreover, this section includes India's longest transportation tunnel, T-50, spanning 12.77 km between Khari and Sumber.

The event will also witness the Prime Minister laying the foundation stones for several key road projects, including two segments of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway totalling 44.22 km, which will connect Jammu to Katra. Additionally, PM Modi will initiate phase two of the four-laning of the Srinagar Ring Road, five packages for the upgrade of the 161-km-long Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri stretch of NH-01, and the construction of Kulgam Bypass and Pulwama Bypass on NH-444.

The development of better road infrastructure will improve the region's connectivity and attract more tourists, create more job opportunities, and stimulate economic growth. Moreover, it will make travel easier, thereby addressing the challenges faced by the region's economic development.

In conclusion, transportation plays a critical role in fostering trade, commerce, and tourism, and its availability is crucial for the growth of any economy. The railway and road initiatives launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jammu and Kashmir aim to enhance connectivity, promote environmental sustainability, and stimulate economic growth. These initiatives will lead to the creation of more job opportunities, which will ultimately help to improve the standard of living in the region.