Farooq Abdullah Celebrates Launch of Vande Bharat Trains in Jammu and Kashmir

Farooq Abdullah, the leader of the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir, expressed on Tuesday that the introduction of Vande Bharat trains on the USBRL route (Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link) is a monumental gift for the residents of the region, as it connects them to the rest of the country. Abdullah boarded the Vande Bharat train at the Nowgam (Srinagar) railway station and traveled to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station. He remarked, 'The call has come from the Mother. The invitation from Shera Wali has arrived.'

 

While addressing reporters, Abdullah shared that crossing the Chenab Bridge brought tears to his eyes. This bridge, which spans the Chenab River, is recognized as the highest bridge in the world and represents a significant achievement for Indian Railways, completed after overcoming numerous challenges in a rugged terrain. He stated, 'This is the greatest gift for connecting Jammu and Kashmir with the entire nation... When I crossed the Chenab Bridge, I was overwhelmed with emotion. The day has finally arrived when we can travel from Kashmir to the rest of the country by train. I want to congratulate all the workers and engineers who built this bridge.'

 

Abdullah also expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the engineers and workers of Indian Railways who dedicated their efforts to this project. He added, 'This train will not only enhance our tourism but will also boost trade. Our products will reach as far as Kanyakumari, Patna, Kolkata, and Mumbai, which will be highly beneficial for us. I thank all the railway staff and engineers who made this possible through their collective efforts. This was a dream of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which was carried forward by Manmohan Singh and fulfilled by Modi Ji. I am grateful to the engineers and workers who constructed the world's highest bridge. Now we can travel by rail to Kanyakumari, Patna, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Assam. This will promote tourism. The railways do not shut down even in heavy snowfall, allowing our people to travel at affordable rates.'