Katra, June 6 (JKNS): Addressing a large gathering in Katra during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that he has had the fortune to be present at the inauguration of every major railway milestone in Jammu & Kashmir.
“By the grace of God, I was present at every inauguration of railway projects be it Anantnag or the Banihal rail tunnel during my earlier tenure as Chief Minister,” CM Omar said, as per news agency JKNS.
Recalling a coincidence from a decade ago, Omar said, “Call it fate or destiny, in 2014 the last event of my government was held at this very place. It is interesting that at that time, four people stood beside you, and today again, the same four people are with you after you became the Prime Minister.”
“Back then, Dr Jitendra Singh was the MoS in the PMO, and he continues to serve in the same position today. Even our present LG Manoj Sinha Sahib was the then MoS for Railways when the Katra Railway Station was inaugurated and I myself was present as the Chief Minister. If you look at it, Mata’s blessings gave Manoj Sinha a promotion, while I, if you believe me, was demoted. I was then the Chief Minister of a state, and now I am the Chief Minister of a Union Territory but I hope this situation won’t last long, and it will be corrected soon. I believe that under your leadership, J&K will regain its statehood,” Omar added, looking towards PM Modi.
Chief Minister said, “Many have dreamt of this railway line. Even the British had envisioned connecting Kashmir to the mainland via a railway along the Jhelum River. But they could never complete that dream. What the British couldn’t do, you made possible today, with your hands, this long-awaited project has been realised.”
He also expressed his gratitude to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “It would be a grave omission if I didn’t thank Atal Ji today. Though the foundation stone of this project was laid in 1983-84, it was during Vajpayee Sahib’s time that it was declared a ‘Project of National Importance’. Budgetary provisions were made under his leadership, which eventually led to the completion of this project.”
Omar said that the railway project will benefit Jammu and Kashmir in multiple ways. “It will ease transportation, enhance tourism, and benefit residents tremendously. As I was saying earlier, whenever it rains and the highway gets closed, airlines begin to fleece us. But with this railway line, that exploitation will reduce, and our movement will become easier.”
He said, “Our produce whether it’s apples, cherries, or dry fruits will now reach other parts of India through rail, and God willing, even reach global markets.”
Omar said, “Just like this one, many infrastructure projects are being completed fast be it the Jammu Ring Road, Srinagar Ring Road, Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, Jammu-Srinagar Four Lane Highway, the expansion of Jammu and Srinagar airports, or the railway network. We are trying our best to achieve our goal of a Viksit Jammu and Kashmir for a Viksit Bharat. I thank you, Prime Minister, from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of all the people of J&K.” (JKNS)
