Jammu: In a historic move for Indian Railways and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first electric train during his visit to the Kashmir valley, aiming to promote eco-friendly rail connectivity in the Union Territory.
The PM also inaugurated the longest transportation tunnel in the country on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link (USBRL).
National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah extended his congratulations to PM Narendra Modi for inaugurating the electric train service between Sangaldan and Baramulla stations, a significant stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link Project under the Northern Railway’s Firozpur division.
“This rail service is essential for our tourism and people, addressing the transportation challenges we faced previously,” Farooq Abdullah stated. “With improved connectivity, people can now easily commute and transport goods, marking a landmark step for the economy of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Acknowledging the efforts of PM Narendra Modi and Indian Railways workers, Abdullah expressed optimism about the project’s future benefits. “Although it’s a first step, I anticipate the rail project’s positive impact in the future,” he added, emphasizing the challenges faced due to the region’s geographical terrain.
“I anticipate that the railway line will easily connect to Katra to Sangaldan by next June and July,” the National Conference Chief said.
With this initiative, the Indian Railways aims to integrate the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with the entire country. Among the projects dedicated by the PM, including the 48-km-long Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section and the 185.66-km-long Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section, the commissioning of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section is particularly significant for featuring the usage of Ballast Less Track (BLT) along the route, ensuring a smoother travel experience for passengers.
The PM has gifted hundreds of projects recently announced to Union Territory worth over Rs 3,161 crores.
