Security has increased in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, with the authorities to increase inspection and vigilance, especially in Katra city of Rasi district.
On Thursday, security forces also conducted extensive investigation in Ramban district, used dog squads and inspected the vehicle completely. Security was additionally increased at Udampur railway station to ensure safe agitation before the Prime Minister’s arrival.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh visited Katra railway station and inspected Vande Bharat vehicles, which was about to be launched.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “If I tell you that I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, it will not be enough. This railway project started when I was in 7th or 8th grade. Now, even my children have started working after completing school and college. 20,000, such issues will be resolved from now.”
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, “In 2014, when PM Modi was sworn in as PM, work on this bridge was almost closed. There were also disputes about the world’s highest bridge, whether it could build such a bridge and will it be safe.”
Northern Railway announced the introduction of regular services of Vande Bharat Express trains between Srinagar and Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, which will begin from June 7.
Services will operate six days a week, increasing connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the major pilgrimage destination.
In particular, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir today and inaugurate several projects, including Chenab Bridge, Fort Bridge, and Wande to flag the vehicles of India.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge and visit the Bridge Deck at around 11 am. Subsequently, he will visit the Fort Bridge and inaugurate.
PM Modi will flag Vande India’s vehicles around noon. Subsequently, he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate several development projects worth more than Rs 46,000 crore in Katra.
The Prime Minister will also dedicate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Bermulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation. The Prime Minister will also take two Vande Bharat Express trains to Srinagar and Srinagar from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra.
Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various road projects. He will keep the foundation of the road wide project from Rafiabad to Kupwara on National Highway -701 and the Shopian bypass road on NH -444 at a price of more than Rs 1,952 crore. He will inaugurate two flyover projects on National Highway -1 in Srinagar and two flyover projects at Bemina Junction on National Highway -44. These projects will reduce the traffic congestion and increase the traffic flow for the passengers.
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra worth more than Rs 350 crore. This will be the first medical college in the Rei district, which will contribute significantly to the Health Service infrastructure in the region.
In particular, this will be the first visit in the region after Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ – India’s exact attack on terrorist camps in Pakistan was launched on 7 May on 22 April in response to the Pahgam terror attack, in which 26 citizens were killed, mostly tourism. (AI)