Katra: The train service to Katra, the base town for Vaishno Devi Shrine had been flagged off by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has a packed schedule in the state today, and there is massive security amid calls for a bandh by separatists.
Modi promised that there would be no obstacle in the way of development in the state and said the train, which he suggested should be named Shreeshakti Express, would not just ease the journey of pilgrims to the popular shrine, but also aid development of the region.
PM said, “This is not just a mode of transportation. Infrastructure is the mother of development. I want to win the hearts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir through development.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also present on that occasion. Abdullah said that crores of pilgrims would benefit from the new train. Katra has so far been accessible by road. The train connectivity to the town is part of an ambitious Rs. 1,150-crore Kashmir rail link project which links the region with the rest of the country.
Both leaders acknowledged the role of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the effort to link J&K to the rest of the country – Mr Abdullah called his contribution “invaluable”. Contentious and political issues were not brought up.
He said, “We can discuss the state’s worries on another visit.”
Modi will also visit Uri to inaugurate the second phase of a hydel project. He will return to Delhi in the evening.
Modi will head to Srinagar from Katra, where he will address troops of the Indian Army at the Badami Bagh Cantonment. He will later lunch with Governor N N Vohra at the Raj Bhawan.
Meanwhile separatists have called for a strike in protest against the visit of Modi.
Bureau Report
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