Saying that Kanyakumari from Kashmir is no longer a dream, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday fulfilled the Kashmir Rail Project as a “festival of unity, power and integration of India”.
After dedicating the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramullah railway link project (USBRL), addressed a large-scale public rally in Katra, which started a counter-luxury campaign in the attack of Pahalgam terror on 22 April, marking his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir, marking his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after successful “Operation Sindoor”.
According to the news agency-Kashmir News Observer (KNO), PM Modi said, “Today is a festival of unity, power and integration of India.”
He announced the operation of two new Wande India trains for Jammu and Kashmir, and laid the foundation for the infrastructure projects of over 46,000 crores, with the aim of promoting connectivity, tourism and economic development in the union region.
The Prime Minister said, “Kanyakumari from Kashmir is no longer a dream – it is now a reality for Indian Railways. Stations like Udhampur and Baramulla are not just names on maps, they are part of the identity of a new Jammu and Kashmir.”
PM Modi also expressed pride in dedicating prestigious Chenabs and Fort Bridges to the nation.
Describing Chenab Bridge as “longer than Eiffel Tower”, he called it the future a “tourist hotspot” and a symbol of India’s engineering provu. He said, “These bridges are not only made of steel and concrete. They represent the strength and flexibility of New India,” he said, while praising the determination of engineers working under extreme circumstances.
*The dream of millions has come true*
Referring to the decades -old aspiration for railway connectivity in the region, PM Modi referred to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s speech, saying, “CM said that he was waiting for the project since his school days in class 7 or 8. Today, the dream of millions has come true.”
He recalled comments from a student of Sangaladan, who wrote that the people of his village had never seen a real train and now they are looking towards economic and social change.
PM Modi said, “A student student has written in a newspaper that now the weather will not decide if the roads remain open – this is the power of connectivity,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister has also talked about the change of Jammu and Kashmir in education and healthcare. He said, “We now have NITs, IITs, AIIMS and central universities in Jammu and Kashmir. Seven new medical colleges have been established, and the number of MBBS seats has increased to 1,300,” he said, while announcing a new medical college for Rasi, funded in part by Mata Vaishno Devi’s contribution.
*Reflections on 11 years journey*
Considering the 11 -year visit of the BJP -led NDA government, PM Modi highlighted his pro -poor governance model. He said, “Over 25 crore Indians who lived in poverty once are now part of the growing middle class. These are not just data – these are changing life,” they said.
He emphasized that for the first time since 1947, such a focused work has been done for the middle class and the poor.
“Those who are caught in unnecessary debate should open their eyes and see who has really benefited,” he said- (KNO)