Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS in the Prime Minister’s Office, Jitendra Singh, hailed the establishment of the new Jammu Railway Division as a landmark achievement.
During the inauguration, he criticized previous administrations for their inability to integrate Kashmir into the national rail network. Singh pointed out that the first train departed from Jammu railway station 53 years ago, in 1970, and questioned whether the prolonged delay was due to a lack of political will or opposition to connecting Kashmir with the rest of India.
The newly formed Railway Division will encompass five key routes: Bhogpur Sirwal-Pathankot, Batala-Pathankot, Pathankot-Joginder Nagar, Pathankot-Jammu (Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur Railway Station), and Srinagar-Baramulla, together covering a total distance of 742.1 kilometers. Until now, Jammu was part of the Ferozpur division within the Northern Railway zone.
On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Jammu Railway Division via a virtual event from New Delhi.
Singh emphasized that since 2014, Prime Minister Modi has significantly transformed railways across India. He highlighted the inauguration of Katra railway station as a pivotal moment in this journey.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also spoke at the inauguration, stating that the railway division has been a long-held aspiration of the people of Jammu, and its realization marks a significant milestone. He noted that improved rail connectivity would bolster Jammu’s economy and create new job opportunities for the youth.
Abdullah addressed concerns regarding potential impacts on Jammu’s business due to direct train services to Kashmir, assuring the public that the region would benefit overall from the new rail links.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, expressed his gratitude, stating that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the long-held dream of connecting Kanyakumari to Kashmir has finally materialized.
