Modi flags off Katra-Amritsar service virtually
*India displayed capability to destroy terror hideouts deep across border
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said lakhs of pilgrims will benefit with the launch of Katra-Amritsar Vande Bharat Express train and two other trains which he flagged off from Bengaluru.
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The Katra-Amritsar Vande Bharat train was flagged off virtually by the Prime Minister while Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh, who is MP from Doda-Udhampur-Kathua Parliamentary constituency, attended the function physically at Katra, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine.
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“The new Vande Bharat train services will benefit lakhs of devotees and promote tourism,” Modi said in his address to the gathering after flagging off the trains.
He congratulated the people of Bengaluru, Karnataka, and the entire nation for these projects and the new Vande Bharat trains.
Katra-Amritsar Vande Bharat train which will run six days a week except Tuesday is fifth such train in Jammu and Kashmir. Presently, two Vande Bharat trains are operating between New Delhi-Katra and an equal number between Katra-Srinagar. The trains running from Katra to Srinagar will shift to Jammu once ongoing expansion work at the Railway Station here is completed.
Asserting that this is his first visit to Bengaluru following Operation Sindoor, Modi highlighted the success of Indian forces during the Operation noting their capability to destroy terrorist hideouts deep across the border.
“India’s strength in forcing Pakistan, who came to defend the terrorists, to its knees within hours was displayed during Operation Sindoor,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the entire world has witnessed this new face of New India.
“The Indian technology and the Make in India initiative were behind the success of Operation Sindoor which brought Pakistan to its knees in a few hours,” Modi said.
He said our technology and the strength of Make In India is behind the success of Operation Sindoor and added that there was a major role of Bengaluru and its youth in Operation Sindoor.
The Vande Bharat Express train between Katra and Amritsar will run six days a week except Tuesday, the officials said. Vande Bharat train No. 26406 will run from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Amritsar while train No. 26405 will run from Amritsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra six days a week except Tuesday.
The train No. 26406 will depart from Katra at 6:40 am and reach Amritsar at 12:20 pm, with stops at Jammu, Pathankot Cantt, Jalandhar City, Vyas etc. The same train numbered 26405 will depart from Amritsar at 4:25 pm and reach Katra at 10 pm with same stops.
People from Punjab intending to undertake pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji and those from Jammu visiting holy city of Amritsar to pay obeisance at Golden Temple will benefit from the Vande Bharat train service.
Agencies add:-
In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is moving fast towards becoming the third major economy in the world and this momentum was achieved through the spirit of “reform, perform and transform”.
The Prime Minister’s comments come days after US President Donald Trump’s “India a dead economy,” jibe.
Modi said that during the past 11 years, India’s economy has grown from the 10th position to the top 5 globally, and is rapidly progressing towards becoming one of the top three economies.
“We are moving fast to become one of the top three economies of the world. How we got this speed? We got it through the spirit of reform, perform and transform,” he said adding the speed was achieved through clear intention and honest efforts.
On infrastructure growth, the Prime Minister said in 2014, metro rail services were confined to just five cities. Today, metro rail networks span over 1,000 kilometers across 24 cities, making India the third-largest metro network globally.
Since independence, till 2014, only 20,000 km rail network had been electrified. During 11 years alone, from 2014 to 2025, it has increased to 40,000 km. Similarly, from 74 airports in 2014, the nation today has more than 160 and likewise, the national waterways has gone up to 30 from only 3.
India has also taken a big leap in the education and health sectors.
“Till 2014, there were 7 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and 387 Medical Colleges. It has now gone up to 22 AIIMS and 704 medical colleges that are serving the people.” In the past 11 years, more than a lakh new seats have been added to the Medical Colleges across the country. The IITs increased from 16 to 23, IIITs from 9 to 25 and IIMs from 13 to 21. Today, there are more opportunities available for students in the higher education sector.
Further, the PM said the next big priority should be becoming self-reliant in technology. Indian tech companies have made a mark globally, developing software and products for the entire world.
“India is moving to assume the role of global leadership in the domain of Artificial Intelligence. Semiconductor mission is also gaining pace. India will soon get Made in India chip,” he said.
Meanwhile, for dozens of schoolchildren the journey on Vande Bharat train was special. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped in and began speaking to them like an old friend, it turned into a memory they say will last a lifetime.
From a packed schedule that included the inauguration of the Namma Metro Yellow Line and multiple railway projects, Prime Minister Modi took time out to sit with the children, share a few laughs and listen to their stories. “He cracked jokes, asked about our hobbies, and made us feel like we were his own family,” said a beaming Jeshma, a student selected to travel on the train.
The Prime Minister began each conversation with introductions. For one student, a state-level Taekwondo player, it was a chance to share her sporting journey – from Grade 6 training sessions in the railway colony to representing her State. “He asked me how I started and praised my dedication,” she said, adding that she also told him about being a qualified guide.
Another child told Modi she aspired to crack the UPSC and was also a singer. “He smiled and said, ‘So you want a Government job too,'” she recalled.
A young dancer and sports enthusiast said her nervousness vanished when Modi asked her how she liked the Vande Bharat on her first ride. “I told him it was comfortable and clean. He told me to share my experience with my family.”
The conversations went beyond pleasantries. Several children said they were inspired by Modi’s emphasis on Make in India and indigenous technology. One noted his “fearless but thoughtful decision-making” as something she wanted to emulate. “He listens before he decides – that’s a quality I admire,” she said.
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