Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Monday promised that the rail link with the Kashmir Valley would be open to the public before 2024, an official spokesperson said.
He said that systematic surveys are being conducted to connect remote areas of the country through mobile network and internet connectivity. The Minister, who visited Jammu Railway Station and a Community Service Center (CSC), took stock of the facilities being provided to the public.
The spokesman said that the Railway Minister assured that rail connectivity with Kashmir would be open to the public before 2024. He also inspected Jammu Railway Station and studied upgradation plan for Jammu and Kathua Railway Stations.
Vaishnav assured that appropriate steps would be taken to facilitate the pilgrims and tourists reaching Jammu and beyond through railways. Former Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on February 14 had set a target of completing the Katra-Qazigund track project by next year.
Goyal tweeted, “Reviewed the progress of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project in J&K and discussed ways to expedite implementation. The project will be completed by 2022 and will provide transportation for the people of J&K.” will provide convenience.”
On December 28, 2020, Ashutosh Gangal, General Manager of Northern Railway had set December 2022 as the target for completion of the project.
Gangal said the first section connecting Udhampur to Katra and the third section between Banihal and Baramulla has been completed with the operation of both the sections.
He said that the work of completing the most difficult Katra-Banihal section is going on as per schedule.
