Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted the prestigious rail connectivity to millions of pilgrims who come from all the four corners of the country to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. Now they will board the train at their origination and disembark at Katra, the base town in the lap of the hills wherefrom trek to the shrine begins.
This track of 25 kilometers through the hills of Shivalik took more than expected time to complete. It was a challenge to the engineers and workers as 40 per cent of the track had to be built through tunnels. As many as 30 small and big bridges had to be built. At one time, the track had to be changed and that consumed a lot of time. But thanks to the grit and steadfastness of our railway engineers and workers who accepted the challenge and built the unique track that has made history.
This is actually part of the prestigious Jammu-Baramulla railway link whose construction has been going on for several years. The entire project is one of the greatest marvels of railway engineering in the Asian Continent because it is built by digging scores of tunnels across high mountains and constructing dozens of bridges of great heights over the rivers, nullahs and gorges. True, completion of the Jammu-Banihal track has been delayed twice but that does not diminish the zeal and effort of engineers and planners in any way. This is not an ordinary track and, therefore, it had to be made foolproof from durability and security aspects. Now the link is slated for completion in 2018.
In the same vein, the 25 kilometer long Katra track also met with many technical obstructions. Engineers had to abandon two tunnels and make diversion for reason of safety. It shows that great care and engineering skill have been put to use for building this track. Its significance as a vital project not only for Jammu region but also to the entire state is self explanatory. Its importance lies in the fact that more than a hundred million people undertake pilgrimage to the holy shrine each year for which Katra town is the base station. Previously pilgrims had to disembark at Jammu and then take taxi or bus to travel to Katra. This caused them inconvenience. With the link up with Katra, pilgrims will disembark at Katra and save good deal journeying time. Another important aspect of the project is that Katra will be linked through railway with the capitals of some of the main states from where maximum number of pilgrims comes to the shrine. Frequency of rail traffic to Katra will be increased and overcrowding of passengers can be reduced considerably.
Focusing on the benefits of connectivity accruing to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said that his Government would want to win the hearts of the people through developmental activities. We had to go through a long period of turmoil that slackened its economic progress. It is satisfying that the Prime Minister is fully aware of many difficulties facing the state. In a broader perspective of the subject there has to be the envisioning of a pragmatic policy of development for the Himalayan states in northern India including Jammu and Kashmir. Perhaps it would necessitate revising of centre’s policy of development of northern and north-eastern states and in this connation a more pragmatic and objective mechanism might be contemplated at the planning level. We certainly hail the enlightened idea of revisiting developmental policy and planning for the entire Himalayan foothill states, which also means a new thinking on their strategic importance to the security of the country. Therefore road and rail links have special importance for the State of J&K with a long border with China and Pakistan.
Indian Railways deserve praise for demonstrating great enterprising ability in building a very difficult rail link in Shivalik hills. Happily an attractive modern type of railway station has come up at Katra. When equipped with solar energy, as desired by the PM, the ecology of the hill station will be maintained. Railways minister thinks of modernizing all railway stations in the country including Jammu railway station. Apparently, this was with reference to the complaint of the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah that while Katra had a modern and attractive railway station, Jammu railways station presented a sordid look. He also made a cogent point that the Railway Ministry design a plan for linking Kashmir tourist spots through rail connectivity. In this context, we would like to remind the railway ministry that it should revive the plan of extending rail connectivity from Jammu to Rajouri and Poonch and from Baramulla in the valley to Kupwara and Lolab valley. A network of railways in the State will immensely help in changing its economic profile. It will be a big boost to the business and will also provide employment for the youth of the State. On the occasion of flagging off the Katra-Udhampur railway, the Union Minister for Railways said that six express and three DMU trains would run between Katra and different state capitals and this could cope with the huge rush of pilgrims to the holy shrine.
Reportedly fears have been expressed by some quarters that with the opening of Katra railway link, Jammu would be adversely affected in terms of economy and business. These fears emanate from the fact that Jammu was the last station and many pilgrims would make a halt for a night or two in Jammu before proceeding to or returning from Katra. As such hotel industry in Jammu had received a big boost in the past. We hope that Jammu will not be neglected in terms of development plans.
The new Government in New Delhi is well disposed towards the State. Hopefully the State will be able to make the best of this goodwill. The fact that a new economic policy for Himalayan states is contemplated we presume it will be a boon for our State as J&K is the largest State in the foothills of the Himalayas to which maximum benefit can accrue by the revised contemplated development policy.
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