Katra, Feb 26: Union Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh Monday said that following its redevelopment, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Katra Railway station would emerge as an intermodal station, integrating rail, road and air so that people could move from one mode to another seamlessly.
He was addressing the gathering after unveiling a plaque marking a formal redevelopment of the Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station after Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 553 railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, including Katra station.
Singh said that this was a historic decision that Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station in Katra city of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir would be redeveloped at Rs 40 crore to enhance the existing facilities and introduce new amenities for passengers.
He said the inclusion of this station in the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme was reflective of the Prime Minister’s special focus and the priority he had given to the development of this region.
Singh recalled that this (Katra) rail station was among the first which was chosen for the rollout of the Vande Bharat train, including the second Vande Bharat.
“It also holds the distinction of being the first station in the country where a solar power facility was unveiled,” the Union Minister said.
“As part of today’s endeavour, besides Katra station, three other stations, namely Udhampur, Jammu and Budgam, railway stations will also be redeveloped as Amrit Stations. Among the four, three are in the Jammu region. This reinforces the Prime Minister’s commitment to the development of J&K,” the minister said.
He said that the PM had chosen Katra as a leg of the country’s development journey. Singh said that ever since PM Modi assumed leadership of the country, there had been a transformation in citizens’ mindsets. He said that the PM ensured a level playing field for the development and welfare of every person and region of the country.
“It has been ensured that every citizen and region of this country reaches their maximum potential commensurate with their talent and resources. Now, a poor man’s son or daughter can dream big and compete in prestigious examinations like civil services and join corridors of power, irrespective of their religion, caste or region. Hopes have been rekindled, and evils like corruption and nepotism have been curbed,” he said.
The Union Minister said the number of developmental projects India had seen in the past decade was unparalleled.
“The pace of development has been accelerated to realise the goal of Vikist Bharat,” he underlined.
Later speaking to media persons, Singh said that Katra was the first railway station which was inaugurated by PM Modi after he assumed office.
“Katra is the first religious centre of the country to get Amrit Bharat Station. In the day to come, when Udhampur will emerge as an important railway junction, Katra will become a major centre of attraction for all the tourists travelling to Kashmir through this route. This is the area which has the world’s highest railway bridge (over Chenab at Kauri) in its vicinity. That will be another attraction,” he said.
“As PM Modi said that these Amrit Bharat stations would have ‘One Station, One product’, I was holding deliberations with the officials in the administration to explore possibilities to create a replica of Chenab Railway Bridge at Kauri in different materials for sale as Taj replicas are sold in Agra. This will become a source of publicity as well,” the Union Minister said.
“Express Corridor (Katra-Amritsar-Delhi Expressway), which is probably the first such expressway of North India and the longest one across India), is also likely to reach here very soon. I think that the people living here in Katra in Reasi will soon have more than one (connectivity) option, both through land as well as rail. This will not only enhance the tourism potential of this place but will also increase the number of Vaishnodevi pilgrims,” he said.