Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced on Tuesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on February 20.
Singh, who represents the Udhampur parliamentary constituency, was present to witness the inaugural stop of the Katra-Delhi Vande Bharat Express train at the Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Railway station.
The temporary halt of this medium-distance superfast express train at Udhampur and Kathua railway stations was initiated to cater to the needs of the local populace.
“We want that the prime minister visit J-K before the start of the election code of conduct. His programme has been finalised for February 20 during which he will launch various projects and also address a public meeting,” the minister told reporters in Udhampur.
Among the projects to be inaugurated during Modi's visit are an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Vijaypur in Samba, the highest railway bridge over Chenab in Reasi district, the Devika project at Udhampur, the establishment of IIM Jammu, and the Shahpur-Kandi Dam project.
The Chenab rail bridge, spanning 1.3 km and positioned 359 meters above the river bed, holds significance as it is 35 meters taller than the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. This bridge forms a crucial link in the 111-km stretch from Katra to Banihal, which is part of the ongoing Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project.
Additionally, it is anticipated that Modi will inaugurate the 33-km Banihal-Samber section, which is now ready for train operations. The project to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country via train has been rescheduled for May to ensure the completion of pending works.
Singh emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Udhampur, has consistently been a priority for the Prime Minister. He recalled how Modi commenced his 2014 election campaign after seeking blessings at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
Expressing gratitude towards the Railway Ministry for accommodating the demand for a stoppage of the Vande Bharat train at Udhampur and Kathua, Singh highlighted that Udhampur, home to the headquarters of the northern command, will become a pivotal junction once Kashmir is connected with the rest of the country by train in the next two to three months.
He added that the Udhampur railway station has been categorized as an Amrit Rail station for its development. Similarly, Singh noted that the new initiative of providing a stoppage for the Vande Bharat train in Kathua district, which borders Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, will enhance industry, trade, and benefit the youth, particularly students.
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