Union ministers, J&K CM Omar Abdullah review preparations at Chenab bridge

Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jitendra Singh along with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reviewed the Katra-Srinagar rail project a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Union Territory.

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Abdullah, along with the union ministers, also visited the Chenab Bridge to review arrangements for the PM’s visit. “Tomorrow is a landmark day for J&K when, finally, the Valley will be connected to the rest of the country by a railway link to be inaugurated at the hands of the PM,” Omar Abdullah stated in a post on X.

CM and Ministers took a detailed review of arrangements at Katra were the PM is also scheduled to hold a rally after inauguration of the historic Katra-Srinagar rail link. “This transformational project will mark a new era of connectivity and development for J&K,” stated Abdullah.

While talking to reporters, Abdullah said that the work on the rail project started when he was in school. “If I say that I have been waiting for this day for a long time, it won’t be an exaggeration. This project started when I was in school, maybe in class 7 or 8. Today, my children have also completed their education and are now working,” he said.

“It is better late than never. Finally, we have reached that stage when the Prime Minister will come and inaugurate the Kashmir rail service which will benefit all of us. Due to frequent highway closure we are not able to go anywhere nor is anyone able to visit Kashmir. When highway closes airlines start looting us by charging hefty price for tickets. Our horticulture produce will also reach the market in time now,” he stated.

Jitendra Singh also visited the site where PM Modi will hold a rally. Singh interacted with the senior BJP leaders and officials of the administration to finalise the arrangements for the event.