Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 4: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today gave credit of Katra and other rail line projects in the Kashmir Valley to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee saying it was Vajpayee who declared it as national project leading to speedy work on it while other leaders only laid stones and gave no funds for construction work.
Addressing the select gathering after inauguration of Katra rail line, Omar said the people had to wait for a long time to see the train reaching Katra, which would benefit not lakhs but crores of people.
“It was like a dream some tried to sell. But the person, who really filled color in the dreams was none other but Atal Bihari Vajpayee (former Prime Minister), who declared it as a national project and today the results are before us. From Baramulla to Banihal and Jammu to Katra, the train has started running,” he said, adding many leaders used to the project, laid stones but gave no funds for their construction.
“I will also like to thank Dr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister, who too showed interest in the project,” Omar said and hoped that remaining portion of rail project between Katra to Banihal would also be completed at the earliest.
Asserting that train has changed lives of the people, the Chief Minister called upon the Government to take up the uncovered areas like Rajouri and Poonch, Doda and beyond in Jammu region, Kashmir East West like Kupwara, Tangmarg etc to boost economy and tourism to benefit the people.
Describing Jammu as heart of the State, he tried to dispel impression among the people especially the business community that after shifting of train to Katra, Jammu will face situation like that of Pathankot.
“I won’t allow Jammu to become Pathankot. I have a plan for Jammu. I assure you that Jammu will continue to get due attention so that it remained focused attention and was not reduced to Pathankot after shifting of train to Katra,” Omar said, adding with the help of the Government of India, many projects would come up at Jammu for its development so that it remained attraction of pilgrim and other tourists.
He pointed out worst condition of Jammu Railway Station as compared to most modernized railway station at Katra and wanted it to be developed. “The Jammu Railway Station also needs upgradation so that it presents good look,” he said.
“As Dr Jitendra Singh said, this is flag off ceremony of train and I too would not like to mention rest of the problems. When there is another tour, I will take up the other problems,” the Chief Minister said.
Underlining that economic development of Jammu and Kashmir is largely dependent on Railways, Omar stressed the need for early completion of unconnected stretches of Jammu-Baramulla railway track.
Omar said that economic linkage of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country is dependent on railways and it will get a comprehensive boost by this initiative.
He thanked the Prime Minister for inaugurating the railway track from Udhampur to Katra and expressed hope that the demand of the State for the extension of railway link to various areas would be accommodated for the larger economic and developmental interests of the state.
Omar also sought the Prime Minister’s intervention in implementation of various tourist and beautification projects to make Jammu and Srinagar model cities of the country.
Congress leader and former Minister Jugal Kishore, MLC, who was lone Congress leader present at the function, said it was the Congress, which had done all the work for bringing rail to Katra and Kashmir.
“Prior to 1947, train used to come to Jammu from Sialkot. When Sialkot went to Pakistan, the train service was resumed to Jammu from Pathankot in 1972 during then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure. The train reached Udhampur and Baramulla during Dr Manmohan Singh’s tenure. Even, track up to Katra had been completed by the previous Congress Government,” Mr Kishore told the reporters.
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