* Even after the opening of Udhampur-Katra 25 kilometers rail track by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, it would take some days for the Railways to start long distance trains to Katra. It could take at least a week or even more for Railways to run long distance trains to Katra.
* However, commercial operation of three DMU trains would formally start from tomorrow with extension of all three DMUs, which runs between Pathankot and Udhampur and Jammu and Udhampur to Katra.
* The DMU, which was flagged off by Modi this morning carried 100 students, who travelled up to Udhampur and then returned to Katra for a joy ride. The DMU had been well decorated. The children were well amused with the joy ride as most of them were sitting for the first time in the train.
* The police personnel headed by DIG Udhampur-Reasi range Gareeb Dass, who was Security Incharge for today’s inaugural ceremony, were taken by surprise when Modi made an unscheduled entry inside the DMU and started inter-acting with the students. Police, however, managed the event very well with no security or any other kind of problem faced by the guests.
* Modi and other VIPs reached Katra Railway Station at 10 am. Modi watched project reports before waving green flag to the DMU. Modi addressed the gathering for 21 minutes and entire function was over in an hour.
* There was an eerie calm at the stage with Modi and Omar hardly speaking to each other except for brief half minute inter-action while sitting at the dais. MoS in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh and Omar, who were sitting together hardly looked at each other. However, MoS Railways Manoj Joshi shook hands with Railways Minister Sadanand Gowda when the ceremony was over.
* While starting his address, Modi described Gowda as always `laughing person’ and Jitendra Singh as `Is Darti Ki Santaan (the son of the soil)’. “Gowda Ji Sada Anand Mein Rehte Hain (Gowda Ji always remain in good mood),” he said.
* There was thunderous applause from the crowd when Modi started his address with slogans of `Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and `Modi-Modi’ renting the air repeatedly. Again there was massive clapping and applause from the crowd when Omar gave credit of railway line to Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
* Surprisingly, no Minister of the Congress-NC coalition Government was present at the inaugural ceremony of train. Former Minister and local MLC from Reasi, Jugal Kishore Sharma was lone visible face from Congress in the gathering.
* Even at Uri function of the Prime Minister, which falls in Baramulla district, Baramulla MP Muzaffar Baig of PDP, NC Rajya Sabha member Mohammad Shaffi Uri and Congress MLA from Uri Taj Mohi-ud-Din were absent.
* At Jammu Airport, the Prime Minister was received by Governor NN Vohra, Omar Abdullah, Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, DGP K Rajendra Kumar and BJP leaders Ashok Khajuria, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Kavinder Gupta, Bali Bhagat and Shamsher Singh.
* However, majority of top BJP leaders including MLAs were present at the ceremony. All top Railways officials, Engineers and other experts were present. Railways Minister Sadanand Gowda present shawl to Modi.
* Authorities had made tight security arrangements in Katra for the visit of the Prime Minister. Though yatra to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine continued uninterruptedly, the chopper service from Katra to Sanji Chat and back remained suspended until the VVIPs left Katra.
* Omar Abdullah concluded his address with `Jai Hind, Jai Jammu Kashmir’.
* Railways authorities had installed banners for inauguration of the train in three languages-English, Hindi and Urdu. Similarly, the pamphlets about the railway line were also circulated in the same languages. Large screens had also been installed at the venue for convenience of the guests.
* In view of summer vacations, Railways authorities found it tough to gather 100 students for travel in the DMU, which was to be flagged off by the Prime Minister. Finally, the students were managed with the help of the Shrine Board.
* While there can be a debate over whether good days have come for the common man or not, certainly good days were visible for the BJP leaders as majority of them had been seated in the front row. BJP MLA from Marh Choudhary Sukhnandan was seen reviewing the sitting arrangements at the venue before arrival of the VVIPs.
* Not only NC and Congress Ministers but even local leaders of the two parties were not present at the inaugural ceremony of the train.
* While Modi didn’t visit Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, Railways Minister Sadanand Gowda and MoS Railways Manoj Joshi visited the shrine and offered prayers.
* It was at 10.10 am that first ever train chugged off from Katra to Udhampur after flag off by the Prime Minister. Railways Board chairman Arunendera Kumar briefed the Prime Minister at the platform about time taken in completion of the track and work executed under tough circumstances.
* The 74909 Pathankot – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Daily DMU train will depart from Jammu Tawi daily at 7.45 a.m. to reach Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 9.55 a.m. the same day, while in the return direction, the 74910 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra- Pathankot Daily DMU train will depart from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 2.50 p.m. to reach Jammu Tawi at 4.55 p.m. the same day.
* The 74905 Pathankot – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Daily DMU train will depart from Jammu Tawi daily at 12.10 noon to reach Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 02.10 p.m. the same day, while in the return direction, the 74908 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra- Pathankot Daily DMU train will depart from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 09.45 a.m. to reach Jammu Tawi at 11.55 noon the same day.
* The 74907 Pathankot – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (5 days a week except Saturday & Sunday) DMU train will depart from Jammu Tawi at 05.20 p.m. to reach Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 07.35 p.m. the same day, while in the return direction, the 74906 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra- Pathankot (5 days a week except Saturday & Sunday) DMU train will depart from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 07.30 am. to reach Jammu Tawi at 09.25 a.m. the same day.
* The 74909/74910 Pathankot – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Daily DMU, 74905/74908 Pathankot – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Daily DMU & 74907/74906 Pathankot – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra DMU trains will stop at Udhampur & Chak Rakhwal stations enroute on extended portion in both the directions from tomorrow.
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