Narendra Modi flags off Vaishno Devi Express for pilgrims' progress
"I assure you that there will be no shortage or obstacle in the development of Jammu," said the Prime Minister, in his first official visit to Jammu and Kashmir as PM, flagging off the train and striking a secular note by saying that the inauguration comes in an auspicious time since "on one hand Amarnath Yatra is on while on the other hand it is Holy Month of Ramzan."
He said the facility to connect devotees with Vaishno Devi will go a long way in the development of the region too. Now pilgrims can go to Katra from Delhi via Udhampur unlike in the past when train was available only up to Jammu and from there the route was accessible by bus.
The Prime Minister said he saw the station from top and would like to see it converted into a solar railway station fully. He also hinted a private investment in railway.
"It is every Indian's dream that J&K is happy and there is prosperity. We have to work for this, be it in power or not in power," said the Prime Minister.
He said the journey of the rail link had begun under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and it will be taken ahead by them. "Our aim is to win hearts of people of J&K through development," said the PM.
The PM suggested that the new train to Katra be named Shreeshakti express.
"I have come here to Mata Vaishno Devi. I remember I began election campaign from here and today we begin our development journey from here," said the PM.
He said J&K will get both speed and energy since he is inaugurating this rail link and a power project later in the day.
"I assure people of India that we will make our Railway Stations modern with proper facilities," said PM Modi.
"We will infact make Jammu's development more qualitative. Katra will develop very fast in the coming times," said the PM.
"This is a facility not only for the people of J&K but also for the people of India, who want to visit J&K," said the PM hoping that tourism will get boost.
The train connectivity is costing Rs.1,150-crore.
The PM said he also came across young children who said they have seen a train for the first time though it is not a good commentary of India's development track record.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was present at the inauguration. He, however, tweeted, later: "The train won't go to Vaishno Devi it will go to Katra. It's still a 15 km climb to the temple so 'train to Vaishno Devi' is overselling it."
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