VIDEO OF NARENDRA MODI FLAGS OFF TRAIN FOR MATA VAISHNO DEVI
Article by Darshana Jamindar
Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the train connecting Katra, a gateway to Goddess Vaishno Devi. Katra is a junction located in Jammu state.
It was a first visit of PM Modi after becoming Prime Minister. Speaking on the occasion Modi said, ideally this train should be named as Shree Shakti Express because ‘Shree’ is one of the names of Goddess Durga. Modi further added, that this rail link is ambitious rail project for Jammu and Kashmir, which will connect J&K to other parts of the country. This states has faced many problems and difficluties, he said.
The last link between Katra and Banihal pass, is expected to be completed by 2018.The 25-km long Udhampur-Katra line, commissioned after prolonged delays, has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,132.75 crore. The train will traverse through seven tunnels and over 30 small and large bridges. There will be a small station – Chakrakhwal – between Udhampur and Katra. Trains will be able to reach Katra directly as the 53-km Jammu-Udhampur rail line is already operational. This rail facility would enable lakhs of pilgrims headed to the revered Vaishno Devi shrine to travel directly to the base camp at Katra. “I congratulate the crores of devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi, who want to come here for pilgrimage from all across the country,” Modi said while dedicating the train to the nation.
