Direct rail service to Kashmir won’t negatively impact Jammu: CM

Jammu, Jan 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday expressed gratitude and optimism during the inauguration of the new Rail Division of Jammu at the Jammu-Tawi Railway Station.
The event, marked as a historic milestone for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, was inaugurated and addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conference.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated and laid foundation of several rail projects in different parts of country.
Also in attendance were Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh, Member of Parliament Jammu, several Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir on this landmark achievement and extended his sincere thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Member of Parliament for fulfilling a long-standing demand for a dedicated rail division in Jammu.
“For years, our rail division was managed from Firozpur because rail connectivity did not extend to Jammu and Kashmir. Over time, however, the rail network steadily expanded—from Pathankot to Jammu, then to Udhampur, Katra, and Kashmir. Today, we see a growing rail network connecting Srinagar to Baramulla, Anantnag, Banihal, and now Sangaldan. The recent trial run of the train between Srinagar and Katra is a promising sign of progress, and we look forward to the completion of this connectivity under the leadership of the Prime Minister,” the Chief Minister said.
Referring to the significance of the new connectivity, Chief Minister Abdullah remarked, “We recently received the good news that a trial train is being run from Srinagar to Katra. It is hoped that it will become fully operational soon, benefiting the people of Jammu and Kashmir immensely.”
Addressing concerns that the rail connection to Kashmir might adversely affect Jammu, the Chief Minister provided reassurance, stating, “I want to assure the people of Jammu that while there may be challenges, the benefits—including boosts to trade and tourism—will far outweigh them.”
He emphasized that the new rail division would bring administrative control closer to Jammu, reducing reliance on Firozpur, and would also create local recruitment opportunities.
He further noted that the inclusion of parts of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in the new division fosters greater regional cooperation.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the project, the Chief Minister stated, “Rail connectivity will bring immense benefits to Jammu and Kashmir. It will boost trade, tourism, and industrial growth. During harsh winters, when road closures disrupt transport, railways will provide a reliable alternative, reducing dependency on costly air travel. The new division will also facilitate cargo transfer and make travel more affordable, especially during winter when airfare skyrockets.”
Concluding his speech, Chief Minister Abdullah expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Railway Minister Vaishnaw for their commitment to the region’s development. “On behalf of myself and the government, I congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir on this historic achievement and assure them that the benefits of this initiative will be far-reaching,” he said.