Omar Abdullah's childhood dream came true, proud to finish unfinished projects: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's childhood dream has been fulfilled with the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.Speaking at an event in Jammu after inaugurating a railway bridge on the River Chenab, PM Modi said it was a "historic moment" in India's infrastructure push and a milestone in integrating Kashmir with the rest of the country."I saw the statement of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He said that work on this project started when he was in school. We have fulfilled the dream of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," the Prime Minister said.Calling the project a "symbol of national unity", PM Modi said, "Today's programme is a grand celebration of India's unity and willpower"."I saw the statement of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He said that work on this project started when he was in school. We have fulfilled the dream of the people of J&K," PM @narendramodi said.#Katra #JammuandKashmir #VandeBharat #India #JammuandKashmir pic.twitter.com/ibB6QQ4iFj— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) June 6, 2025The USBRL, a strategically crucial and long-delayed infrastructure initiative, had faced technical and logistical challenges since it was first approved in the 1990s. Its completion now provides all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.PM Modi's reference to Omar Abdullah's childhood came in response to the Chief Minister's recent media interview where he said that he was in Class 8 when the foundation stone of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project was laid.Even today at the same event, Abdullah made the reference, saying he used to study in Class 8 when the project started, and today he is 55-years-old."Many people dreamt of this train service... What the British could not do, you (PM Modi) got it completed, and Kashmir valley has now been connected with the rest of the country. On this occasion, it would be a mistake if I did not mention and thank former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee... I studied in 8th when the foundation for this project was laid. Now I am 55, and it has finally been inaugurated. This could happen only when Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave it the status of 'project of national importance' and increased its budget. It will greatly benefit the people of J&K in every way," the Chief Minister said. advertisementSoon after inaugurating the Chenab Bridge, the Prime Minister was seen waving the Tiranga and walking across it with a broad smile. This was PM Modi's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack which killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
24 minutes ago
- Mint
‘Why did you invite Modi for G7 Summit?': UK PM Carney replies, ‘India should be…'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday said that it 'made sense' to have India, the fifth largest largest economy, at the G7 Summit. Carney was responding to a question on extending an invitation for the Summit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that G7 countries will hold discussions on important issues, including security and energy, in their upcoming summit, adding that India's presence at the intergovernmental political and economic forum is essential. 'There are certain countries that should be at the table for those discussions in my capacity as G7 chair consultation,' he said. 'India is the fifth largest economy in the world, effectively the most populous in the world central to a number of supply chains, so it makes sense. And in addition, bilaterally, we have now agreed importantly to continued law enforcement dialogue so there's been some progress… I extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi in that context and he has accepted,' Carney added. PM Modi on Friday confirmed he would attend the G7 Summit in Canada after an invitation from newly elected Carney. "Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister Mark J Carney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month. As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the Summit," PM Modi said in a post on X. The announcement comes after a period of severely strained relations between the two countries, triggered by Canadian allegations that Indian 'agents' were involved in the June 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar – a Canadian citizen and prominent pro-Khalistan activist – outside a Sikh temple in Vancouver. India strongly denied the claims, and both nations expelled senior diplomats in a tit-for-tat escalation. 1. The South African high commission told The Canadian Press that Canada invited President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the summit. 2. According to CBC news, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on May 4 that Canada invited him to the summit and he will attend. 3. Canada also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to attend and he confirmed again this week he will be there. 4. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that Canada had invited her nearly two weeks prior but she had not yet decided whether she'll attend. (With inputs from agencies)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
India is fifth largest economy, their presence at G7 meeting 'makes sense': Canadian PM Mark Carney
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the upcoming G7 summit in Canada will address critical issues like energy, security, and digital infrastructure. He emphasized India's essential role in these discussions, citing its status as the world's fifth-largest economy and most populous nation. Prime Minister Modi accepted Carney's invitation to attend, signaling a potential thaw in relations after recent tensions. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday (local time) said that G7 countries will hold discussions on important issues, including security and energy, in their upcoming summit, adding that India's presence at the intergovernmental political and economic forum is said that India being the fifth largest economy and the most populous country in the world must be at the seat."Let's put the two aspects in context- first is, we are in the role- Canada's in the role of the G7 chair and in those discussions as agreed with our G7 colleagues, include important discussions on energy, security, on digital future, critical minerals amongst others and partnerships actually in building infrastructure in the emerging and developing world," he said that India is central to a number of supply chains, which makes its presence pertinent at the G7 chair consultation."There are certain countries that should be at the table for those discussions, and in my capacity as G7 chair, I will consult with some others to make those determinations. India is the fifth largest economy in the world, effectively the most populous country in the world, central to a number of those supply chains at the heart of a number of those supply chains, so it makes sense," he said that India and Canada are acting on law enforcement, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted his invitation."In addition, bilaterally we have now agreed importantly to continued law enforcement to law enforcement dialogue so there's been some progress on that recognizes issues of accountability I extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi for in in that context and he has accepted it," he said. PM Modi on Friday confirmed he would attend the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) leaders summit in Canada after an invitation from newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney."Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister Mark J Carney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month. As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the Summit," he said in a post on announcement comes after a period of severely strained relations between the two countries, triggered by Canadian allegations that Indian agents were involved in the June 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar--a Canadian citizen and prominent pro-Khalistan activist--outside a Sikh temple in Vancouver, as per DW strongly denied the claims, and both nations expelled senior diplomats in a tit-for-tat escalation, DW News reported.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project fully operational after nearly 28 years
The 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project, which was started in 1997, took almost 28 years to become operational. Its first 55 km long section between Jammu and Udhampur was completed in April 2005. According to Northern Railways, the whole project was completed and operationalised in multiple phases, with the last one being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (June 7, 2025). After opening the Jammu-Udhampur section, the then UPA government focused on sections in Kashmir and operationalised the 68 km long Anantnag-Mazhom rail link in October 2008. "Then came a 32 km long Mazhom - Baramulla rail link on which train services started in February 2009. So by 2009, locals availed train journey from the last point of the USBRL project, ie, Baramulla to Anantnag," a Northern Railway official said. He added, "Since work was going on simultaneously on other sections, Railways was able to extend the train service from Anantnag to Quazigund towards Jammu side by October end in 2009." The Railways achieved another significant milestone when it further extended the train services from Quazigund to Banihal in June 2013, which involved the construction of an 11.215 km long Pir Panjal tunnel. "Almost a year later, in July 2014, the Udhampur-Katra line from the Jammu side was made operational," the official said. Banihal to Katra connectivity According to a railway source, "When the Modi government came to power, the rail services were operational from Baramulla to Banihal in Kashmir side and Katra to Jammu on the other side. The missing link - Banihal to Katra - needed to become operational for bringing Kashmir on the rail network of the country." "The Modi government completed the Banihal to Katra connectivity in two phases. First, Banihal to Sangaldan in Feb 2024 and then Sangaldan to Katra on June 6, 2025, was made operational, completing the missing link," he added. VIDEO | Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir: Vande Bharat Express, flagged off by PM Modi a short while ago, crosses the Chenab bridge - world's highest railway arch bridge.#JammuKashmir#ChenabRailBridge (Full video available on PTI Videos - — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 6, 2025 The Northern Railway said that the Banihal to Katra section has the iconic Chenab and Anji Bridge and some of the toughest and longest tunnels. "For instance, the 12.75 km long country's longest operational rail tunnel is between Banihal and Sangaldan. Many other challenging infrastructure development works were materialised in the past 11 years," another official said.
