Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Friday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for fulfilling what he called as a long-standing dream, even envisaged during British regime of connecting Kashmir with the rest of India through rail.
"Many including the Britishers dreamt of connecting Kashmir with the rest of India through rail, but it is Prime Minister Modi who has made it a reality,” Abdullah said speaking at the inauguration of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
CM Omar Abdullah also remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s contribution, recalling that Vajpayee had designated the USBRL as a ‘project of national importance’, laying the groundwork for the present achievement.
Speaking at the event PM Modi called Jammu and Kashmir the “crown of Mother India”, the Prime Minister underscored the economic and emotional significance of the railway connection. He said that the all-weather rail link will help Kashmiri produce, especially apples, reach markets across India faster and more affordably.
"Today’s program is a grand celebration of India’s unity and strong willpower. With the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, the Kashmir Valley has now been connected to the rail network. We have always spoken of 'Kashmir to Kanyakumari', and now, this has become a reality for the railway network as well," PM Modi said.
“Even Omar Abdullah once said he had been waiting for this since his school days. Many governments spoke of it, but we got it done. Despite the challenges, we kept our promise," he recalled.
The completion of the Chenab Bridge has turned a slogan into a tangible achievement, linking the Himalayas to the southern tip of the Indian peninsula by train for the first time in history.
PM Modi also announced the launch of two new Vande Bharat trains for the region and laid the foundation stone for a new medical college. “Projects worth crores are being dedicated to the people of Jammu and Kashmir today,” he added.
PM Modi also spoke about Operation Sindoor, India's military retaliation on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
"What happened in Pahalgam on April 22 is a clear example of this. Pakistan attacked both humanity and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam. Its intention was to incite riots in India. Its aim was to stop the earnings of the hardworking people of Kashmir. That’s why Pakistan targeted the tourists... The way the people of Jammu and Kashmir have stood up against Pakistan's conspiracy, the strength shown by the people this time has not only sent a strong message to Pakistan, but also to the entire world’s terrorist mindset. Jammu and Kashmir’s people have given a powerful response," PM Modi said.
.jpg)