Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday virtually inaugurated the new Jammu Railway Division. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attended the event from Jammu.
Speaking on the occasion, Sinha said the event was a historic milestone. “The long-cherished dream of connecting Kashmir with Kanyakumari by rail has been realised under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership,” he said.
Helicopter shot 🎥 - Chenab bridge pic.twitter.com/IGkJ3uZM7u
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 26, 2024
The Lt Governor appreciated Modi and Vaishnaw for their commitment to the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Infrastructure development has been prioritised, with remarkable advancements in railway expansion and modernisation,’’ he said. “Over the last 10 years, more than 5,309 kilometres of new railway lines have been constructed, and over 1,800 kilometres of track electrified.”
He highlighted Jammu’s transformation and described it as one of the most impressive railway stations in the world.
Sinha said that elevating Jammu to a new railway division would unlock unprecedented connectivity and opportunities for the region. He announced that by the end of the month, Kashmir would be fully integrated into the national railway network.
He said the Chenab River railway bridge—the highest of its kind globally—is a symbol of India’s engineering excellence.
“The railway network will be the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economic growth, fostering industrial development and creating jobs and opportunities for the region’s people,” he said, adding that soon Vande Bharat trains would operate in Kashmir to upgrade the region’s transport infrastructure.
In his address, the LG acknowledged the efforts of senior BJP leaders Devendra Rana and Sunil Sharma and credited them for persistent advocacy with helping secure these vital railway projects.
He assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the government remains committed to developing world-class infrastructure to drive growth and prosperity in the region.
