Railway network to be game changer for Kashmir: Minister

Minister of State for Railways and Textiles Darshana Jardosh addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Saturday. — Excelsior/Shakel
Minister of State for Railways and Textiles Darshana Jardosh addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Saturday. — Excelsior/Shakel

‘80% work on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla line complete’
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 2: Union Minister of State for Railways and Textiles Darshana Jardosh today said that the railway network, once completed, will be a game changer for Kashmir.
The Minister is on a visit to Kashmir as part of the Union Government’s Public Outreach Programme.
Addressing a press conference at Srinagar Railway Station today, Jardosh said that Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project is the most ambitious railway project in India post-Independence and the Railways is working at full capacity to meet all deadlines.
She said that 80 percent of the work on the Rail Project is complete and rest 20 percent is going on and will be completed by 2023.
She said Kashmir is a challenging terrain owing to its topography but the Railways is fully equipped to meet all challenges with the latest technology and dedicated workforce. The bridges and under bridges that have been constructed is a challenging task and it has been accomplished successfully.
The Minister said that the Railways is committed to take development to every corner of the country and Kashmir ranks high on the agenda of the Central Government.
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She said that Railways has an important role to play when we talk of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. She said that work on the project was never stopped although the pace slowed down during the COVID-19.
“Today I saw the progress of work on the ground by visiting various sites. The engineers and other workers are working very hard and with dedication”, she said.
Jardosh said that besides providing relief to the general population, the Railways network is also of strategic importance from the security point of view especially in a place like Kashmir.
She said that engineers of the Railway are doing a commendable job in meeting up the expectations that the people in general and security forces in particular have from it.
Earlier in the day, the Minister visited Banihal Railway Station by rail and took stock of operations there. She inspected Tunnel T-80 Control Room and also Tunnel 144 during her visit.
Jardosh also had an inspection of Navyug Road Tunnel during her visit to Banihal and detailed interaction with officers of National Highways Authority of India.
On her return from Banihal, the Minister stopped at Qazigund Railway Station for a brief inspection.
The Minister also took part in a Swachchhta Awareness Programme at Srinagar Railway upon her return from the visit to Banihal and Qazigund.