Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir today. During his first visit to the state after becoming the Prime Minister, Mr Modi will inaugurate a rail link to put Katra on the railway map and address a Sainik Sammelan in Srinagar. During his one-day visit, the Prime Minister will flag off the inaugural train from the newly built Katra Railway station to Udhampur around 10 O’clock.
Train connectivity to Katra is part of the ambitious Kashmir rail link project marking the region's rail connectivity with the rest of the country. After missing several deadlines, the 25 km long line, will be finally commissioned marking the successful laying of railway tracks in a difficult terrain. After 18 years since the start of work on this track, pilgrims from all over country can directly reach Katra which is the base camp of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. The new link with seven tunnels, 29 minor and nine major bridges is expected to ease the pilgrim rush in Jammu city and help the devotees go directly to Katra.
A senior railway official told AIR that there will be a small station – Chakrakhwal – between Udhampur and Katra. The 53-km Jammu-Udhampur rail line is already operational. The Railways is considering extending the Jammu Mail and Sampark Kranti Express up to Katra, besides introducing new trains, including the Katra-Kalka Express, Delhi Sarai Rohilla- Udhampur Express and Ahmedabad-Udhampur Express.
There are demands from several zones for train services to Katra. Our correspondent reports that a set of local trains from Jammu to Katra and Pathankot to Katra are also likely to be introduced to cater to the rush of Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims. Our correspondent reports that with the commissioning of the Udhampur-Katra rail link, the spiritual journey for pilgrims to the famous Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine will become quicker, cosy and comfortable.
Pilgrims especially women, children and the elderly would now reach Katra without any midway halt at Jammu. Nestled in Trikuta Hills, it will be known as Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station. Estimated to cost 1,132.75 crore, it will take about 30 minutes to complete the 40 km journey from Katra to Udhampur. The 25 km line to Katra has seven tunnels and over 30 small and big bridges including a 185-feet high tunnel which is higher than the Qutub Minar.
Katra station has been completed with modern facilities including tourist guide counter, cloak room, waiting hall, VIP lounge, escalators and lifts and parking spaces. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has also set up seven computerized Yatra Slip Counters at the station. Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been stationed at vulnerable locations all along the track in protected bunkers to maintain round-the-clock vigil. Train service up to Katra in Reasi district of Jammu Division, will prove a boon for an estimated 10 million devotees visiting Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine every year. The facility is also expected to give further fillip to the economy of the area.
The Prime Minister is arriving in Srinagar later today after inaugurating the Udhampur-Katra rail link in Jammu division. He is scheduled to address a Sainik Sammellan in Srinagar. In the afternoon, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the 240 mw NHPC Hydel Power Project in the border town of Uri in Baramula district. Some separatist groups in the valley have given a bandh call on the occasion of the Prime Minister's visit. Security forces have been deployed in strength across the Kashmir valley and all vechicles entering into Srinagar city are being checked.
