Union Minister Jitendra Singh flags off Vande Bharat train with halts at Kathua, Udhampur

Our Correspondent

Jammu, February 13

Union Minister Jitendra Singh today flagged off the maiden regular run of Vande Bharat Express train with stops at Udhampur and Kathua respectively, both of which stations happen to be a part of his Lok Sabha constituency.

Terming it as a historic decision of the government, Jitendra Singh said it was possible only due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special attention and priority that he has accorded to the J&K region for its fast-paced development.

The Minister flagged off the maiden stoppage of the train from the Udhampur station early this morning and travelled on it to reach Kathua railway station, where the train made its first stoppage.

Jitendra Singh said with this facility, Central government has fulfilled the demand of the local people and commuters for providing stoppage of Vande Bharat Train at Kathua station. He said this achievement was not a small feat as the entire process of ticketing and haltage was completed within just one-and-half-month period without tinkering with the mandated eight-hour journey time of the Vande Bharat train.

Jitendra Singh added that the railway route to J&K is unique as it is among the few that have two Vande Bharat trains chugging off, whereas many places in the country are yet to avail this state-of-the-art transport facility, which was unveiled in 2015. He said the pair of Vande Bharat trains was sanctioned for J&K after the trains of the same make were dedicated to Varanasi, the Parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Modi.

The Union Minister stated that Udhampur, which is a major centre of the military in North India, will turn into a big junction in future, particularly when the Kashmir Valley gets connected to the rest of the country via the train in the next 3-4 months.

Sharing the revised time schedule of the two Vande Bharat trains, with Udhampur and Kathua as stoppages, Jitendra Singh said it has been done keeping in mind commuters' comfort.

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