PM Modi turning ‘Kashmir to Kanyakumari’ train reality: LG
Jammu, Jan 6: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for turning dreams related to Jammu Railway Division and ‘train from Kashmir to Kanyakumari’ into reality, setting new benchmarks vis-à-vis infrastructure development in J&K.
Delineating massive infrastructure expansion presently underway in J&K, he announced that the crucial Z-Morh tunnel would also be inaugurated by the Prime Minister very soon.
He was addressing the gathering at Jammu Railway Station in the event, where the Prime Minister inaugurated the new Jammu Railway Division, through virtual mode from the union capital.
The LG expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for dedicating the new Jammu Railway Division.
“This new division is very important from a strategic point of view. It will also stimulate economic growth, employment generation, infrastructure development and creation of new tourist circuits,” he said.
Speaking on the remarkable progress achieved in developing a comprehensive railway network in J&K, the LG said, “Indian Railways stands at the forefront of our journey toward a developed and self-reliant J&K.”
“For J&K, Indian Railways is spearheading a new era of development and integration. Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) will seamlessly connect Kashmir to Kanyakumari, boosting tourism, trade, and employment opportunities in the region,” he said.
LG Sinha said, that by connecting Kashmir to the national railway network, Indian Railways laid the foundation for a prosperous and integrated future for Jammu and Kashmir.
“Under the leadership of PM Modi, the infrastructure development across the sectors has set new benchmarks in J&K. With a strong emphasis on infrastructure, sustainability, and innovation, we are laying the foundation for a future where economic growth and improved livelihoods go hand in hand and everyone is empowered to make this vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 a reality,” the LG said.
He said that the enhanced connectivity was already unlocking the potential of J&K while improved transportation efficiency was stimulating trade, encouraging industrialisation and enabling the movement of raw materials and finished goods. The LG highlighted that with better access to markets, the socio-economic upliftment of the region was being realised and tourism was receiving a much-needed boost.
He also spoke on several transformative railway projects in the pipeline for J&K, demonstrating Indian Railways' unwavering commitment to improving regional connectivity and fostering socio-economic development.
“Surveys are ongoing for the Anantnag-Bijbehara-Pahalgam (78 km) and Awantipora-Shopian (28 km) rail lines. DPR is under examination for new line between Baramulla-Uri (46 km), Baramulla-Kupwara (39 km), Jammu-Poonch via Akhnoor, Rajouri (223 km), Manwal-Talra via Ramkote, Billawar and Dunera (117 km), Sopore-Kupwara (37 km), Pathankot-Leh (664 km), Bilaspur-Manali-Leh (489 km) and doubling of Baramulla-Banihal line,” LG Sinha said.
By linking key towns and regions, these projects promise to unlock the region's untapped potential and boost local economies, he said.
In view of the rapid industrialisation taking place in J&K and the emergence of Jammu, Samba and Kathua as industrial hubs, the LG emphasised that Indian Railways should explore possibilities for the establishment of railways’ private freight terminals to facilitate the transportation of goods and products of traders and industries of these areas.
Lauding the efforts of all stakeholders who pleaded the cause for a new Jammu Railway Division for all these years, LG Sinha, in particular, poignantly recalled the contribution of late senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana.
“Every stakeholder made an invaluable contribution, I thank all of them. However, in particular, I would like to mention the late Devender Singh Rana Ji, who is not among us. I saw him during the past few years passionately following this cause. In this connection, he along with others met the Railway Minister also a number of times. I extend my gratitude to all those stakeholders,” he said.
