*Visits Vaishnodevi shrine with grandsons
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/KATRA, June 10: National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah today said his long-cherished dream of seeing Kashmir connected to the rest of the country by rail has finally come true, describing the newly launched Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat train as a “blessing” for both tourists and residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Abdullah made the remarks after boarding the train, which was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6. “I am extremely happy today. The dream we had waited so long has finally come true,” he said.
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Recalling the project’s history, Abdullah said, “When Jaffer Sharief was the Railway Minister, he allocated Rs 100 crore for the project. It first reached Udhampur and then Katra. Later, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee took great interest and pushed it forward. And now, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government, the work is complete.”
The former Chief Minister was accompanied by his grandsons – Zamir and Zahir, Transport Minister Satish Sharma, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Advisor- Nasir Aslam Wani, and NC’s chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq.
Highlighting the economic and social benefits, Abdullah said, “This will boost tourism. Our people will be able to travel easily, and our fruit produce will now reach distant markets like Kolkata, Chennai and Patna.”
Calling the train service a major breakthrough, he added, “Tourists will come, our people can move easily, and our fruits will reach bigger markets. We will be greatly benefited.”
He urged the Government to increase the train’s frequency. “We hope it does not run just twice daily, but also during night hours to improve connectivity even further.”
Abdullah emphasized the importance of reliable transport. “The Srinagar-Jammu highway often gets closed due to landslides or snow. When roads are shut, airfares rise to Rs 20,000– Rs 25,000, making travel unaffordable for many.”
Expressing joy, he said, “This train will greatly help our fruit Industry and Tourism sector. I am very happy to travel to Katra by train today.”
Calling it the biggest benefit for Kashmiris, he added, “Now, we can move freely without worrying about road closures. This service will save people a lot of money. I hope everyone makes the most of it.”
After arriving at Katra Farooq said that the Vande Bharat service offers a much-needed alternative to the Srinagar-Jammu highway, which is often unreliable due to landslides and weather-related disruptions.
“The road gets closed frequently, and airfares shoot up during such times. This train will spare people from those difficulties,” he said.
Abdullah also noted that the train service will positively impact the tourism sector and the region’s horticulture industry.
Farooq called the train the biggest gift for the people as it will also strengthen “love and friendship” between the two regions.
He congratulated all the workers and engineers who built the world’s highest bridge on the Srinagar-Katra train link.
National Conference chief joined ‘Aarti’ (special prayers) at the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district this evening.
Abdullah was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Satish Sharma and grandsons Zamir and Zahir besides others.
He reached Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the famous shrine, on board the specially designed Vande Bharat train from Srinagar this morning, his first trip after the inauguration of the service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6.
“Mata has invited me. It is a call from Mata. Aaya Hai Bulawa Sherawali Da,” Abdullah said responding to a question about whether he intended to visit the shrine.
Before joining the evening ‘Aarti’ at the sanctum sanctorum, Abdullah said he is going for ‘Darshan’ of the Mata and would seek her blessings for peace, development and communal harmony.
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