Jammu, Apr 30 (KNO): Terming launch of Vande Bharat train service between Jammu and Srinagar as a big development, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that nearly 1,400 people can now travel daily between the two capital cities daily.
Speaking at the flag-off event, CM Omar, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said, “On this occasion, I thank Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Central Government. Today, we have connected Jammu with Kashmir through the railways.”
He said the rail link has opened new avenues for transporting goods such as cement and automobiles, giving a major boost to trade and business.
“The speciality of this train is that it has not only enabled people like us to travel but has also facilitated the transport of goods such as cement. I was surprised to see Maruti cars being transported to Srinagar and fruits from Kashmir by rail,” he said.
CM Omar also appealed to the Railways Minister to set up an inland port in Jammu and Kashmir to ease customs clearance for exports from the Union Territory.
“I have a request for the Railways Minister, even though it does not pertain directly to his ministry. I request that an inland port be set up in J&K. There is an urgent need for a dry port here so that we do not require customs clearance in other cities for goods exported from here. Customs clearance should take place within J&K—it will benefit our trade and business,” the CM added.
He said that while he would raise the issue with the Central Government, he also appealed to Union Ministers Vaishnaw and Jitendra Singh, along with the MPs present, to take up the matter with the Centre. “This inland or dry port will prove very beneficial for Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that people had been waiting for it for many years.
“For many years, we had been waiting to travel by train from Jammu to Srinagar. Now, there is no need to travel to Katra from Jammu, or vice versa, by road,” he said.
CM Omar said that he had never expected the railway line to become so popular that he would have to seek favours to reserve seats. “Thankfully, the train has now been upgraded from eight coaches to 20. Earlier, around 500 passengers could travel; now, nearly 1,400 people can travel daily. This is a huge development for us,” he added—(KNO)