Modi ji paved the way for us to visit Kashmir, gave us confidence that it would be a safe ride: Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat passenger
Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 7 (ANI): The first Vande Bharat Express train on the Katra-Srinagar route began its journey on Saturday morning, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged it off from Katra Railway Station.
Passengers were seen gathering excitedly to board the train for the inaugural ride.
Sheetal, one of the passengers, told ANI, ' It's a great thrill and will be a good experience for us that Modi ji paved the way for us to visit Kashmir from here. We are all very excited for the views that this journey will offer... We had booked our tickets just to experience the world's highest bridge... The architecture of the bridge is so beautiful... Initially, we were scared, but when Modi ji himself stood there yesterday, it gave us confidence that it would be a safe ride.'
Abhishek Arora, a passenger from Gwalior, added, '... We had booked our tickets in the first slot, as soon as the bookings opened... We will go to Srinagar and come back the same day... We just want to see the world's highest bridge, which is the highlight of this journey... This is a big achievement and was next to impossible. It was pending for hundreds of years. It will benefit every sector...'
Loco Pilot Praveen Kumar called it a historic moment when the entire rail network in India was connected from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
'It is a historic moment to see the first passenger Vande Bharat train begin its journey from Katra to Srinagar,' said loco pilot Yadav, who is operating the inaugural service. 'The Prime Minister flagged off the train yesterday, and it truly marks a proud day for the nation as Kashmir is now connected to Kanyakumari through the Indian Railways network.'
Loco pilot Manoj Yadav, who is operating the inaugural service, called it a proud day for the nation. 'It is a historic moment to see the first passenger Vande Bharat train begin its journey from Katra to Srinagar,' he said. 'The Prime Minister flagged off the train yesterday, and it marks a proud day for the nation as Kashmir is now connected to Kanyakumari through the Indian Railways network.'
Talking about preparations for the journey, Yadav said, 'The entire route has been prepared with a focus on safety and passenger comfort. From the highest railway bridge in India to long tunnels, arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth experience. Special attention has been given to engineering challenges, especially while crossing the Chenab Bridge, where speed is reduced for safety.'
On the train's special features, he added, 'The train has been modified to handle varying temperatures, especially as it enters colder regions like Banihal. Every aspect--from track design to onboard facilities--has been built with passenger needs in mind. Today's train is fully booked, showing how eagerly people waited for this moment. It's an experience for us and a matter of national pride.'
Sharing his experience driving the train, he said, 'Today, the first passenger train is going to Kashmir, and this is a historic moment. I am on this train, and it feels good. The train is fully booked, showing how many people were waiting. This is the highest railway bridge, and the track is unique with high tunnels and bridges. Riding on it is a different experience, and you have to control the speed carefully to match the track conditions. Everything is going smoothly.'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station on Friday, officially connecting the Jammu division with Kashmir via rail. This marks a major milestone in strengthening railway infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.
During his visit, PM Modi also inaugurated the world's highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River. Speaking on the occasion, he said the development projects will further boost Jammu and Kashmir's growth journey.
The train passes through two engineering marvels: the Anji Khad Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, the highest railway bridge in the world. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
42 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Yunus acted without consulting parties: Ex-Indian envoy on Bangladesh polls
Former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Veena Sikri said that the announcement of elections in the first half of April, next year by Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh is "controversial" and said the decision was taken without consulting the parties. Sikri told ANI a day earlier, "I think this announcement is controversial due to some reasons -- some political parties have opposed it, even BMP themselves wanted it earlier by December. He has taken this decision without consulting the parties. He has talked about reforms, but he is not a constitutional government, so there is no reason for such a government to do reforms" The former envoy said the neighbouring country must have early elections and that the Bangladesh Army has yet to react to the announcement. "They must have early elections, and then the elected government will look at what reforms they want. The Army has not said anything so far about the decision. The most important thing is how the elections will be conducted, as he cannot head the caretaker govt because in his govt there are political party representatives, including representatives of Islami Andolan Bangladesh." On June 6, the Bangladesh interim government announced that the national election would be held in the first half of April 2026. "I am announcing to the countrymen today that the next national elections will be held sometime in the first half of April 2026. Based on this announcement, the Election Commission will provide you with a detailed roadmap for the elections in due course", said Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh, in an address to the nation through state television, BTV, on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha. The announcement of the national election is a major development for Bangladesh politics after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in August 2024.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Life returning to normal, says Poonch resident as Op Sindoor marks 1 month
As Operation Sindoor, launched by Indian armed forces in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, marks one month on Sunday, people living near the Indo-Pakistan border in Poonch district said that life is slowly returning to normal after the ceasefire with schools opening and people getting back to their routine. "Uss bhayanak khwab ko bhule toh nahi hain, lekin bhoolne ki koshish kar rahe hain. (We haven't forgotten that terrible dream, but are trying to forget it)," said Pradeep Khanna, a local resident in Poonch. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Khanna said, "Operation Sindoor was launched to avenge the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 26 people. Prime Minister Narendera Modi said that the terrorists would be given a befitting reply, which they received. On intervening May 6-7, nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan were destroyed. After that firing took place here in Poonch, which is also called the battlefield of Jammu and Kashmir." "After the ceasefire, life is slowly returning to normal. Schools have reopened, and people are returning to their works. We haven't forgotten that terrible dream, but are trying to forget it. We celebrated Eid al-Adha together with all the people here in unity. Operation Sindoor is not over yet. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are united in the fight against terrorism," said Khanna. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 and struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in response to a ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last month in which 26 people were killed. After the attack, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions, following which India launched a coordinated attack and damaged radar infrastructure, communication centres, and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan. After this, on May 10, an understanding of the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Initiatives in last 11 years helped boost farmers' incomes: PM Modi
Several initiatives of the BJP-led NDA government during the last 11 years have boosted the prosperity of farmers and ensured the transformation of agriculture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, underlined the far-reaching impact of his government's 'pro-farmer' programmes. The Centre also showcased flagship initiatives — such as the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, under which ₹3.68 lakh crore has been transferred to the bank accounts of 110 million farmers, and the Kisan Fasal Bima Yojana, under which ₹1.75 lakh crore has been disbursed to 230 million farmers — as important steps taken for the welfare of farmers. 'It's our privilege to serve our hardworking farmers. For the past 11 years, our various initiatives have boosted prosperity for farmers and also ensured an overall transformation of the agriculture sector,' Modi said in a post on X. 'We have focussed on issues like soil health and irrigation, which have been greatly beneficial. Our efforts towards farmer welfare will continue with greater vigour in the times to come.' The PM further said farmers were earlier forced to take loans for meeting small needs, but their lives have been made easier by his government. 'Reflecting on the last 11 years, the government's initiatives have not only enhanced prosperity among farmers but have also contributed to an overall transformation of the agriculture sector. Due to the continuous increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP), the country's food producers are receiving fair prices for their crops and experiencing a rise in their income,' Modi was quoted as saying in a PIB release. The PM over the last few days has been highlighting his government's decisions in specific sectors. The BJP-led NDA government has recently completed its 11 years in power, while the party will mark the first anniversary of Modi-led government's third term on June 9.
