More trains to Katra: PM Narendra Modi

KATRA: Inaugurating the rail link to Katra, the base of Vaishno Devi shrine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said more trains would be introduced from places such as New Delhi, Howrah Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bangalore to the pilgrim town.

"I am also happy to announce that 3 pairs of train services currently between Jammu to Udhampur will be extended to Katra.

"The Railway has also planned to run 3 pairs of Express trains from New Delhi, Kalka, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bangalore," he said in his address.

Besides, six more trains, including three premium trains from Bandra, Bangalore and Howrah, would be introduced for Katra.

"With the opening of the rail linkage and by increasing the frequency of rail services, I am sure there will be a definitive thrust to development in Jammu and Kashmir enabling economic development and greater investment opportunities," he said.

Indian Railways, he said, is committed to ensuring a balanced development of different regions of the country through rail transport.

Noting that introduction of rail services in the Kashmir Valley has been a great success so far, he said railways have not only enhanced the carrying capacity of DEMU trains from 8 to 12 Coaches but also planned 4 more pairs of enhanced services in the Kashmir Valley.

The Katra-Udhampur section is a part of ambitious 326km long Udhampur-Katra-Quazigund-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line project of Northern Railway.

Passenger services have already been introduced between Qazigund and Baramulla.