Latest news with #VandeBharatTrain
United News of India
5 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
Train connectivity to transform tourism, boost trade, improve mobility: J&K CM
Katra (J&K) June 6 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday hailed the rail-link of Kashmir with the rest of the country as a 'historic accomplishment,' stating that the development will boost tourism, trade, and bring comfort in the daily lives of people of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a large gathering at Katra during the inauguration of the Chenab and Anji Bridges and at the flagging off ceremony of the Vande Bharat Train to Kashmir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abdullah highlighted the difficulties faced by people during inclement weather when highway closures lead to exorbitant airfares. This marks Kashmir's first all-weather railway connectivity with the rest of India. Also present on the occasion were Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union MoS PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh, and other dignitaries. 'The benefits to Jammu and Kashmir will be substantial. Tourism will receive a major boost, and the daily lives of our residents will improve,' the Chief Minister said. 'With this railway line operational, that hardship will be alleviated to a great extent, offering affordable and reliable transportation,' he noted. Speaking about the economic benefits, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of better market access for the region's horticultural produce. 'Our apples, cherries, and other fruit will now find faster and more easy access to markets across the country and even globally. This will provide a significant economic benefit to our growers and traders,' he said. Lauding Prime Minister Modi's leadership, the Chief Minister said that the successful completion of this critical infrastructure project stands as a testament to the Centre's commitment to the development of Jammu and Kashmir. 'Under PM Modi's stewardship, yet another critical infrastructure project in Jammu and Kashmir has been completed. We are also witnessing rapid progress on other vital initiatives — the Jammu Ring Road, the Srinagar Ring Road, the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, the four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar Highway, and the expansion of both the Jammu and Srinagar airports and the railway network,' he said. The Chief Minister expressed hope that with the Prime Minister's continued support, Jammu and Kashmir will soon regain its status as a full-fledged state. 'Today marks yet another momentous occasion. With your leadership and support, we look forward to Jammu & Kashmir regaining its status as a full-fledged state,' he said. Reflecting on his tryst with key milestones in J&K's rail history, Omar Abdullah recalled his presence at the inauguration of the Anantnag Railway Station, the Banihal Railway Tunnel, and his government's final event at the same venue with PM Modi in 2014. 'You may call it fate, or perhaps destiny, but I have always had the good fortune of being present at key milestones in Jammu and Kashmir's railway journey,' he said. He also recalled that the dream of connecting Kashmir via railway dates back to colonial times. 'Even during British rule, plans were envisioned — such as the proposed Uri and Jhelum railway lines — but they remained unfulfilled. What the British could not achieve, you have made a reality. You have connected Kashmir with the rest of India and, through it, to the wider world. This is a historic accomplishment,' he said. Paying tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he credited him for being the first to recognize the rail network to Kashmir as a project of national importance. 'This progress owes much to the vision of Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, who declared this railway line a project of national importance. Since then, the project has seen consistent progress and budgetary prioritization,' he said. Reaffirming his government's commitment to development, the Chief Minister reiterated his resolve to fulfill the vision of a prosperous region. 'Our government remains committed to the vision of 'Viksit Jammu Kashmir, Viksit Bharat' — a developed Jammu and Kashmir, a developed India — and we are determined to realize this goal for the people of our region.' Concluding his remarks, the Chief Minister extended his gratitude to the Prime Minister on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. 'On this historic day, on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, I extend my heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to you, Prime Minister. Thank you for your unwavering support and for helping turn decades-old dreams into reality.' UNI VBH BD
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"J-K will be given status of state by PM Modi": Omar Abdullah in Katra
Reasi (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 6 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday reiterated the demand for restoring statehood to the Union territory, expressing confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the one to accomplish that. CM Abdullah was in Katra to attend the program of the flagging off of Vande Bharat trains by PM Modi from Katra railway station. During the program, apart from the Prime Minister, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Union Minister Jitender Singh were also present. 'It has been my luck and fortune that whenever there have been big programs for railways, I have been part of it. The first time Anantnag rail station was inaugurated, when the Banihal rail tunnel was opened. Looking back at the last program of my first term in 2014 happened here too... You had also become the Prime Minister for the first time, just after elections, you came here and inaugurated the Katra railway station, and you won the elections a total of 3 times to remain PM,' J-K CM said during the program. Hoping for 'things to get back to normal' in the union territories, CM Abdullah added, 'The same four people were present here in 2014 when the Katra Railway Station was inaugurated, Manoj Sinha, who was then MoS (Minister of State) for railways, got promoted as post of LG, and I got from CM of a state to CM of a UT. But things will get back to normal before we know it, and J&K will be given the status of a state by PM Narendra Modi.' Meanwhile, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha highlighted how the slogan of connecting the country to 'Kashmir to Kanyakumari' is becoming a reality with the flagging off of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Train. 'By uniting the two corners of the country, he has also made the dreams of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr Syama Prasad Mookherjee come true... He has also connected the beating hearts of millions of Indians in the cities connected by this railway line... The railway bridge inaugurated today is not just cement and iron but a medium to connect the aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir,' Governor Sinha said. Earlier today, PM Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station, directly connecting Jammu division with Kashmir. Before flagging off the trains, Prime Minister Modi interacted with school children onboard and also spoke with railway staff members present on the train. The new Vande Bharat Express service will reduce the travel time between Katra and Srinagar from the current 6-7 hours by road to just about 3 hours. The trains aim to provide a fast, comfortable, and reliable travel option for residents, tourists, and pilgrims. The train will run through the Anji Khad Bridge, which is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, which is the highest railway bridge in the world. The bridges were also inaugurated by the Prime Minister. In a remarkable gesture, Prime Minister Modi waved the Tiranga, the Indian national flag and carried it forward on the deck of the bridge on the Chenab River. These bridges are part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project in Jammu and Kashmir. The project had earlier faced numerous engineering and logistical challenges due to the region's difficult terrain and seismic sensitivity. Yet, after years of meticulous work, the bridge now stands as a testament to India's technological prowess and commitment to inclusive development. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is 272 km long USBRL project, constructed worth around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration. (ANI)
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
AP CM Chandrababu congratulates PM Modi over launch of Chenab railway bridge
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world's highest railway bridge, the Chenab Railway Bridge, located in Jammu and Kashmir, today (Friday). The bridge has been hailed as a significant achievement in engineering, built over the Chenab River, and symbolises a new era in the region's development. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu took to social media to express his congratulations to the Prime Minister on this monumental accomplishment. He described the bridge as a "testament to the magnificent architectural style built in difficult geographical conditions" and acknowledged it as the world's highest railway arch bridge. In his tweet, CM Naidu highlighted that this marks a new chapter in the development of Jammu and Kashmir, illustrating the strong leadership under Prime Minister Modi. He noted that the Chenab Railway Bridge is also poised to enhance religious tourism and create employment opportunities following the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Project (USBRL). The Chief Minister also mentioned the introduction of the Vande Bharat Train, which will operate between Katra and Srinagar, facilitating year-round transport suitable for any season. He concluded his message by stating that these projects stand as a symbol of national pride.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Jammu & Kashmir will be given status of state by PM Modi: Omar Abdullah in Katra
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday reiterated the demand for restoring statehood to the Union territory, expressing confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the one to accomplish that. CM Abdullah was in Katra to attend the program of the flagging off of Vande Bharat trains by PM Modi from Katra railway station . During the program, apart from the Prime Minister, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha , and Union Minister Jitender Singh were also present. "It has been my luck and fortune that whenever there have been big programs for railways, I have been part of it. The first time Anantnag rail station was inaugurated, when the Banihal rail tunnel was opened. Looking back at the last program of my first term in 2014 happened here too... You had also become the Prime Minister for the first time, just after elections, you came here and inaugurated the Katra railway station, and you won the elections a total of 3 times to remain PM," J-K CM said during the program. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo Hoping for "things to get back to normal" in the union territories, CM Abdullah added, "The same four people were present here in 2014 when the Katra Railway Station was inaugurated, Manoj Sinha, who was then MoS (Minister of State) for railways, got promoted as post of LG, and I got from CM of a state to CM of a UT. But things will get back to normal before we know it, and J&K will be given the status of a state by PM Narendra Modi." Meanwhile, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha highlighted how the slogan of connecting the country to 'Kashmir to Kanyakumari' is becoming a reality with the flagging off of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Train. Live Events "By uniting the two corners of the country, he has also made the dreams of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr Syama Prasad Mookherjee come true... He has also connected the beating hearts of millions of Indians in the cities connected by this railway line... The railway bridge inaugurated today is not just cement and iron but a medium to connect the aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir," Governor Sinha said. Earlier today, PM Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station, directly connecting Jammu division with Kashmir. Before flagging off the trains, Prime Minister Modi interacted with school children onboard and also spoke with railway staff members present on the train. The new Vande Bharat Express service will reduce the travel time between Katra and Srinagar from the current 6-7 hours by road to just about 3 hours. The trains aim to provide a fast, comfortable, and reliable travel option for residents, tourists, and pilgrims. The train will run through the Anji Khad Bridge, which is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge , which is the highest railway bridge in the world. The bridges were also inaugurated by the Prime Minister. In a remarkable gesture, Prime Minister Modi waved the Tiranga, the Indian national flag and carried it forward on the deck of the bridge on the Chenab River. These bridges are part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project in Jammu and Kashmir. The project had earlier faced numerous engineering and logistical challenges due to the region's difficult terrain and seismic sensitivity. Yet, after years of meticulous work, the bridge now stands as a testament to India's technological prowess and commitment to inclusive development. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is 272 km long USBRL project, constructed worth around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration.
India.com
26-04-2025
- India.com
This is India's first engine-less high-speed train, better than Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express; its name is...
This is India's first engine-less high-speed train, better than Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express; its name is… India's First Engine-Less High-Speed Train: One of the largest rail networks in the world, the Indian Railways serves millions of passengers every day. It is also upgrading its trains to provide the best possible comfort and travel experience to passengers. Talking about that, the Railways achieved a milestone by launching India's first engine-less high-speed train – Vande Bharat Express. On February 15, 2019, the first Vande Bharat train, from New Delhi, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Vande Bharat Express is a multiple-unit chair car train which is designed and developed indigenously by the Indian Railways. Top Speed Of Vande Bharat Train One of the fastest trains in India, Vande Bharat trains can run at a speed of 160 km/h. The train s capable of running 180+ and achieved a top speed of 183 km/h in its trial runs but due to tracks inability the speed has been reduced. In 2023, the Indian Railways introduced Vande Bharat Express's color scheme. Additionally, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also mentioned as many as twenty-five upgrades in Vande Bharat trains, including anti-climbing features. Special Features Of Vande Bharat Train Vande Bharat trains provide passengers with enhanced comfort and a smoother ride through modern amenities. Features include automatic doors, ergonomic seating, and executive-class options with rotating chairs. Vande Bharat Express trains have been upgraded with enhanced amenities and security measures. These include a refrigerator, freezer, and kitchenette with hot food capabilities, along with a hot water boiler. Advanced security features such as high-quality CCTV cameras in each carriage and the KAVACH safety system are also incorporated.
