The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Jammu, made significant announcements and inaugurated numerous development projects on Tuesday, emphasizing the transformation underway in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a massive public rally at MA stadium in Jammu, PM Modi highlighted the BJP-led government's efforts to remove Article 370, which he termed as the primary obstacle hindering the region's progress. He assured that the Union Territory is now on the path of development, promising infrastructure that rivals renowned destinations like Switzerland.

PM Modi underscored the government's commitment to eradicating dynastic politics, corruption, and appeasement politics, aiming to provide equal opportunities for all communities. He pledged to continue working towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Among the unveiled projects, PM Modi inaugurated the first Electric Train in J&K, aiming to reduce pollution and improve transportation. Additionally, he launched various initiatives in education, railway, aviation, and road sectors, totalling over Rs 32,000 crore in investment.

During his visit, PM Modi distributed appointment orders to approximately 1,500 new government recruits and laid the foundation stone for a new terminal building at Jammu Airport. He also dedicated several rail projects, including the new rail line between Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan and the electrified Baramulla-Sringar-Banihal-Sangaldan section.

The Prime Minister's visit received appreciation from Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha, who hailed the initiatives as crucial steps toward the region's progress.

SRINAGAR — The Northern Railways is inching closer to connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the railway network in India, as it will start train services on the total 184-km-long Baramulla to Sangaldan sections of the USBRL project from February 20, railway sources said on Saturday.

A top railway official informed the news agency KNO that they are going to introduce a new MEMU and DMU train between the Baramulla and Sangaldan sections of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL), starting on February 20.

He said the work on Sangaldan to Katra in Reasi district is also nearing completion. “Though there is no exact deadline, the project is in the final stage. Ninety-six per cent of the project has been completed, and work is in full swing on the remaining 4%,” the official said.

He added despite facing numerous challenges, Northern Railways has been working diligently to complete the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to virtually inaugurate the newly completed 48-kilometer railway line between Banihal to Sangaldan and Chenab Rail Bridge on February 20.

BUDGAM — In a landmark day for the railways' sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations across the country under the scheme, through video conferencing, at a cost of more than Rs 24,470 crores.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the ceremony at an event at Budgam Railway Station. In his address, the Lt Governor expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for including three stations of J&K UT, Jammu Tawi, Udhampur and Budgam under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

He said the redevelopment of railway stations in the UT will give a huge boost to connectivity and ease of travel for passengers. “I believe railway connectivity is the lifeline of a society. A railway line not only strengthens connectivity with different regions but it also brings economic prosperity and transforms standard of living and creates a new destiny of the concerned region,” the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor highlighted the ongoing railway projects and the overall transformation taking place in the railway sector. "Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, we are witnessing rail projects of unprecedented magnitude in Kashmir Valley," he said.

“Kashmir will be connected to Kanyakumari by the end of this financial year. It will connect the valley with all important commercial centres of the country,” the Lt Governor added.

He further informed that the Railway Board has sanctioned five Final Location Survey works in Kashmir: Doubling of Baramulla-Banihal Railway Line, New Baramulla-Uri, Awantipora-Shopian, Sopore-Kupwara and Anantnag-Bijbehara-Pahalgam Rail Line. "Once approved, the new networks will boost rail connectivity in the valley," he added.

He also shared the reforms introduced by the UT Administration to strengthen the air and road connectivity catering to the growing aspirations of the people.

Nazir Ahmad Khan, Chairman, District Development Council, Budgam; Vijay Kumar, ADGP Jammu; Vijay Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Budgam; Vijay Pratap Singh, Principal Chief Engineer Northern Railway, PRI members, youth and people in large numbers were present.

SRINAGAR — In a significant development, the Northern Railways is all set to start work on the 50-kilometers Baramulla-Uri stretch in Kashmir, for which tenders have been floated, officials said on Sunday.

Once the project is completed, the border area of Uri will get connected with the railways.

A top railway official told the news agency KNO that Northern Railways is mulling to begin Final Location Survey (FLS) for new Baramulla-Uri line and for which proposals are being invited by the Ministry.

“Tenders have been floated for engineering survey work of a railway line/roadway using modern survey techniques such as Aerial Survey (Aerial Photogrammetric Survey or Aerial LIDAR) and DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) levelling and creation of DEM,” he said.

He said that the overall track from Baramulla to Uri will be 50 kilometres.

Chief Area Manager (CAM) Kashmir Railways, Saqib Yousuf also confirmed the development. He said it is good news for the entire Kashmir.

Pertinently, the government has stated that Kashmir will be connected with Kanyakumari through rail link.