* Hints at more role of private players in Railways
* Rly Stns will be developed better than Airports
Sanjeev Pargal
KATRA, July 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today used historic moment of linking holy town of Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine with rest of the country by rail, to give a clarion call to the people of Jammu and Kashmir that he wants to win hearts of people through development and welfare.
In his 21 minutes address to selected gathering after flagging off DMU train from Katra to Udhampur carrying 100 students marking a historic chapter, which was being awaited by millions of pilgrims visiting the cave shrine of Goddess Vaishno Devi ji every year, Modi without naming militancy or disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir said the State has gone through many “problems and difficulties’’ and we want it to make “prosperous and peaceful”.
“Vajpayee Ji (Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who headed BJP led NDA Government for about six years from 1998 onwards) had started the process (of peace). We want to take it forward. Our purpose is not to play politics but win hearts of Jammu and Kashmir through development and welfare. And very soon, we will fulfill this dream,’’ Modi said in his address in the presence of Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Railways Minister Sadanand Gowda, Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh and Minister of State for Railways Manoj Joshi.
As expected, Modi made no direct reference of militancy, separatists or roadmap to Kashmir solution but declared that he was committed to follow Vajpayee’s doctrine on Kashmir, who had called for solution to Kashmir problem under the “ambit of humanity’’.
Modi said every Indian citizen wants to see peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister’s indirect reference to Kashmir problem came at the fag end of his speech.
Linking launch of train service to Katra as ‘Vikas Yatra’, Modi took an indirect dig at successive State Governments on “lack of development in Jammu and Kashmir’’.
“While inaugurating the train, I went inside and asked the school children travelling in it as to how many of them had seen or travelled in the train earlier. I was surprised to hear that 80 per cent of them were sitting in the train for the first time. This is the situation when even first decade of 21st century was over.
“This is definitely the cause of worry. What kind of development we have given to the people. In Katra town, which is not far away from Jammu, 80 per cent students are sitting in the train for the first time. Let us take pledge on this occasion that we will take development to far off areas to benefit poorest of poor and change quality of life of the people,’’ Modi said.
Modi said more trains would be introduced from places such as New Delhi, Howrah, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Yeshwantpur and Bangalore to the pilgrim town.
“I am also happy to announce that 3 pairs of train services currently between Jammu to Udhampur will be extended to Katra.
“The Railway has also planned to run 3 pairs of Express trains from New Delhi, Kalka, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bangalore,” he said.
Besides, six more trains, including three premium trains from Bandra, Bangalore and Howrah, would be introduced for Katra.
“With the opening of the rail linkage and by increasing the frequency of rail services, I am sure there will be a definitive thrust to development in J&K enabling economic development and greater investment opportunities,” he said.
Indian Railways, he said, is committed to ensuring a balanced development of different regions of the country through rail transport.
Noting that introduction of rail services in the Kashmir Valley has been a great success so far, he said railways have not only enhanced the carrying capacity of DEMU trains from 8 to 12 Coaches but also planned 4 more pairs of enhanced services in the Kashmir Valley.
He added: “it would be our pledge to generate employment for the youth whether we are in the Government or not’’.
Asserting that he wants to make Jammu and Kashmir “power of development’’, the Prime Minister said the development would come with speed and energy.
“Today I’m inaugurating two major projects in Jammu and Kashmir—one the rail project, which means speed and second the Uri-II power project, which means energy. With speed and energy, we want to develop Jammu and Kashmir,’’ he declared.
“Hum Jammu Kashmir Kay Vikas Ko Urjawaan Banaayenge, Aur Gatiwaan Banaayenge (we will give energy and power to development of Jammu and Kashmir). This is a day that brings speed (gati) and energy (urja) to the development of Jammu and Kashmir. Speed stands for train project and urja for Uri-II, both of which are being inaugurated today,’’ the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also allayed the fears of the people of Jammu, who feel that the direct rail link to Katra will have negative impact on the development of their city, saying the “development of Jammu will not be stalled.”
“Development always brings opportunities. More the development, more the opportunities to grow. This has happened in many States and this would happen here also. The people would benefit from extension of train to Katra rather than facing any harm,’’ Modi said, adding “Jammu’s development will continue unhindered. And even with new railway station at Katra, it will in fact be a more qualitative development’’.
He said the next 10 years would be full of development and opportunities for the people.
“The people will never face problem in shifting train from Jammu to Katra. They will utilize this opportunity of development for them. Katra will be at the centre stage and Jammu will also benefit out of it. Development brings with it the infrastructure. While train has reached Katra today, the business has already started flourishing. It (the business) will flourish everywhere in the State,’’ he said.
Allaying apprehensions of Jammu, Modi said there will be no problem in the development of Jammu and that he could say so from his experience.
“When facilities increase, people use their time to go other places. So, I think, a person who comes to Katra directly, will visit Jammu too. I believe there will be opportunities for more qualitative development of Jammu,’’ he asserted.
He added that the Government will further enhance the rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir and that the Banihal rail line will be linked to the rest of the country directly.
He announced one ticket journey for the people of India to the Kashmir Valley. He said the people would reach Katra directly in the train from different parts of the country, then board the bus to Banihal and again take train from Banihal to Kashmir. This entire journey would be covered on one ticket, he added. It may be mentioned here that train in Kashmir plies up to Banihal only and the focus has now shifted to Katra-Banihal railway line, which was scheduled to be completed in 2018.
He announced that six long distance and trains would chug up to Katra very soon. Apart from them, three DMU trains would chug up to Katra, he said.
Lauding Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), he noted that the Board has already made arrangements for issuing passes to the pilgrims for visiting the shrine at Katra station itself, which will save time of the pilgrims coming from all over the country.
He said Railways is an environment-friendly mode of transport and it will be spread in Jammu and Kashmir. He called for developing Katra railway station with solar energy, which should be visible from Trikuta Hills. Railways Board chairman Arunendera Kumar promised in his address that when the Prime Minister visits Katra next time, he would definitely see the Katra Railway Station developed with solar energy.
The Prime Minister expressed wish to convert the railway station in first of its kind to be powered by solar energy.
“I have asked the authorities that this can be the first such railway station which we can convert into solar-based railway station,” he said.
“Railway board chairman has expressed that it (board) will take up the work in this direction immediately. Katra will be model of environment friendly railway station with solar lighting facilities.”
Recalling that even before starting his election campaign, he had visited holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji and took blessings of the Goddess, Modi said today he was starting ‘Vikas Yatra’ of the country again with the blessings of Goddess from foothills of Vaishno Devi Bhawan.
“I had come to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine during election campaign and today we begin our development journey from here. We are committed to take this journey forward,’’ he said.
Modi declared that his Government was committed to develop railway stations in the entire country “much better than the Airports’’ and this includes Jammu railway station too. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his address had referred to worst condition of Jammu railway station as compared to most modernized station developed at Katra.
“I agree with the Chief Minister (Omar Abdullah). Why can’t we develop railway stations much better than the airports. Definitely, we will do this. Not only, Jammu railway station but we will develop all railway stations in the country better than the airports,’’ Modi said.
Dedicating the Katra line to the nation, Modi said a holy atmosphere is prevailing when the train is reaching Katra.
“A step has been taken to connect Mata Vaishno Devi shrine by train at a time when on the one side, Amarnath yatra is going on while on the other side, holy month of Ramzan is underway. This, the train has started reaching Katra, the foothills of Maa Vaishno Devi in the pious environment,’’ he said.
“The railway line to Katra is not just a gift to the State of Jammu and Kashmir but to the entire nations—125 crores Indians, who wish to come to the shrine and I am proud to be placing this gift before them,’’ he said, adding that he had suggested to the Railway Minister that this train should be named ‘Shri Shakti Express’.
Meanwhile, ahead of the rail budget, Modi hinted at an increased role of the private sector in development of Railways.
“We want the railway stations to have better facilities than airports. This is our dream and it is not a difficult thing to do and this is economically viable too. I have discussed it in detail with my Railway friends. You will see a change in near future.
“In that, private parties would also be ready to invest because this is a good project economically and will benefit everyone. This would be a win-win situation project and we want to move ahead in this direction in the coming days,” he said.
Modi said the railway stations in metros and important cities such as Jammu would be priority for the Government with regard to development of railway stations.
He said the Railway Ministry has been given a detailed outline of the project.
“I congratulate the crores of devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi, who want to come here for pilgrimage from all across the country,” Modi said.
Modi said the Government will further enhance the rail connectivity in J and K and that the Banihal rail line will be linked to the rest of the country directly.
He said Railways is an environment-friendly mode of transport and it will be spread in Jammu and Kashmir.
Stressing that Himalayan States have similar sets of problems and opportunities, Modi proposed a “common model” for their development.
“I accept that there is need to have a separate policy and planning for development of the Himalayan States in India. All the states located in Himalayan belt including Jammu and Kashmir have same set of problems and also diverse opportunities in similar nature,” Modi said.
He said: “we want to go for it, in the Himalayan States until North-East, which will benefit not only Jammu and Kashmir but also North East. We are committed to move in that direction as well.”
The last link between Katra and Banihal pass, is expected to be completed by 2018. The 25-km long Udhampur-Katra line, commissioned after prolonged delays, has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,132.75 crore.
The train will traverse through seven tunnels and over 30 small and large bridges. There will be a small station – Chakrakhwal – between Udhampur and Katra.
Trains will be able to reach Katra directly as the 53-km Jammu-Udhampur rail line is already operational. This would enable lakhs of pilgrims headed to the revered Vaishno Devi shrine to travel directly to the base camp at Katra.
The train connectivity to Katra is part of the ambitious Kashmir rail link project that will connect the Valley with the rest of the country. The last link between Katra and Banihal pass, is expected to be completed by 2018.
The 25-km long Udhampur-Katra line, commissioned after prolonged delays, has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,132.75 crore.
The train will traverse through seven tunnels and over 30 small and large bridges. There will be a small station – Chakrakhwal – between Udhampur and Katra.
Trains will be able to reach Katra directly as the 53-km Jammu-Udhampur rail line is already operational. This would enable lakhs of pilgrims headed to the revered Vaishno Devi shrine to travel directly to the base camp at Katra.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been stationed at vulnerable locations all along the track in protected bunkers to maintain round-the-clock vigil.
Katra station is equipped with modern facilities, including tourist guide Counter, cloak room, waiting hall, VIP lounge, escalators and lifts and parking spaces.
The train connectivity to Katra is part of the ambitious Kashmir rail link project marking region’s rail connectivity with the rest of the country.
The train connectivity to Katra is part of the ambitious Kashmir rail link project that will connect the Valley with the rest of the country.
The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine can now look forward to a larger turnout of pilgrims after the train service to Katra.
The Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage yearly attracts about 10 million pilgrims although, thus far, the only access to Katra was through National Highway 1-A.
Pilgrims from Kerala, Odisha, Maharashtra, West Bengal and other parts of the country come to the shrine on a regular basis.
Work on the 25-km long Udhampur-Katra rail link had begun in 2005 but took nine years to complete due to problems posed by the hilly terrain, which also forced railways to change the alignment in between.
Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda said that the rail link will hand an opportunity to scores of people to make the pilgrimage. He announced that direct trains would be arranged to Katra from New Delhi, Kalika (Chandigarh), Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bangalore soon apart from three DMUs.
He further said that the Katra line marks a milestone in the Railway’s efforts towards fulfilling the aspirations of the public.
Forty per cent of the Katra-Udhampur route is covered by tunnels and there are also seven major bridges. The bridge on Jhajjar river enroute is the longest steel girder bridge in the country at a height of 85 meters and two spans of 154m each. The rail link has 22 curves.
To conquer the Shivaliks, innovative approaches were adopted to ensure the highest standards of operation and safety, said Gowda.
The rail project has permanent jobs for 700 persons whose land was taken over for the laying of the line.
As part of the project, 235-km length of approach roads to worksites were constructed to provide road connectivity to far -flung villages of J&K.
There are about 1,000 taxis currently operating here and the number is likely to increase now after the inauguration of the rail link.
Gowda along with Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha also visited Mata Vaishno Devi ji shrine after the launch of train service.
Locals, meanwhile, hailed the launch of the rail service and said it would bring about development of the region.
“This step by the Modi Government will boost the economic strength of Katra, which will now become a powerful economic backbone of J-K,” said Ravinder Singh, a local businessman.
CEO of the Shri Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Dr Mandeep Bhandari, said that in the past decade, the shrine had become the busiest mountainous cave shrine and the second busiest shrine across the country.
Gowda, in his address to the gathering, said Railways connectivity to Katra would benefit the traders, locals, students and, above all, the pilgrims of Mata Vaishno Devi ji as they would reach Katra with comfort.
“Aspirations of a large number of people have been fulfilled with linking of Katra with rest parts of the country,’’ he said, adding Railways has planned six long distance trains and three DMUs for Katra.
Saluting engineers, officers and staff of Railways, Gowda said they had to work very hard for 40 per cent construction of track, which was very very tough but they managed to concur Shivalik hills. He declared that work was on at Katra-Banihal section, which would give full connectivity to the Kashmir Valley with the country.
Gowda, who delivered speech in English, said train service in the Kashmir Valley has also been a tremendous success and capacity of DMUs there is being enhanced from eight to 12 coaches. Kashmir will have five DMUs soon while three DMUs would move between Jammu-Udhampur-Katra apart from six Express trains linking Delhi, Kalika, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bangalore with the holy town.
In his address, Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh said it was from this holy town of Katra that the Prime Minister had set off on country wide campaign with the blessings of Goddess Vaishno Devi and “today the time has come to repeat the pledge by trekking on the path of development’’.
“We feel very proud that Modi has given an ‘adhbut bhaint’ (unique gift) to the devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi ji by linking Katra, the base camp of the shrine with rest of the country,’’ Dr Singh, who also happened to be the Lok Sabha member from Katra (which is part of Udhampur-Doda Parliament set), said.
Dr Singh said: “perhaps Goddess Vaishno Devi also wanted Katra railway project to be inaugurated by Modi and that was why it (the project was delayed.
“It seems it was the wish of the Goddess to get the project inaugurated by Modi. Only he can come to the Durbar of Goddess, who is called be Her. The project was delayed and today, Modi is dedicating a unique gift to millions of people of the country by linking Katra with train’’.
Asserting that Katra and Reasi have vast problems of road, water, health and education, Dr Singh said he wouldn’t mention the problems on pious and food day today but will brief them to the Prime Minister later.
“I take pledged before Goddess Vaishno Devi ji today that I will act as their true representative. The people have given me a task to fulfill.. to meet their aspirations..to come up to their expectations that I will work hard and with honesty and fulfill all aspirations of the people,’’ Jitendra said, adding he would serve as people’s voice before the Prime Minister.
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