Jammu, Jun 06: The Jammu-Kashmir unit of Shiv Sena (UBT) has warmly welcomed the “realisation of the long-standing dream of running trains from Kashmir to Kanyakumari” as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dedicated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation. The PM also flagged off the first Vande Bharat train to Srinagar from Katra railway station in Reasi district and threw open the rail route from Kashmir to KanyaKumari.
The party’s State chief Manish Sahni, in a statement issued here, urged authorities to expedite the completion of the rail network in the Jammu division and to introduce Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) services alongside the Vande Bharat trains between Jammu and Srinagar.
He expressed strong support for the expansion of rail connectivity in Kashmir, saying, “Indian Railways is the most preferred and economical mode of travel for the common man. However, in recent years, there has been an increased emphasis on Vande Bharat trains. While services have been flagged off between Katra and Kashmir, Jammu continues to be neglected. A deadline of September has been set for launching direct rail service between Jammu and Kashmir.”
Sahni asked, “If Vande Bharat trains can operate from Delhi to Jammu Railway Station, then why is Jammu being kept isolated when it comes to reaching Kashmir? The work on the Rajouri-Poonch rail link and the project to extend train service to Kishtwar has seen no progress in recent years.”
He said that to boost the economy of Jammu division— which has shown full support to the BJP in both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections— it is crucial to accelerate the expansion of the rail network and establish rail services from Jammu to Srinagar.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader demanded that the rail expansion in the Jammu division be completed on a war footing and urged the immediate start of DMU services between Jammu Railway Station and Srinagar.
