STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the redevelopment of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway station under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, virtually, from New Delhi on Monday.
He also laid the foundation stone of a project for overbridge at Vijaypur Railway Station.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, on behalf of the people of Jammu Kashmir, thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for new railway infrastructure projects for the UT of J&K.
In a tweet, the Lt Governor said:
“Grateful to Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji for the redevelopment of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and a project for overbridge at Vijaypur Railway Station. It involves comprehensive development of Katra Station.
The redevelopment project will upgrade façade,12 Meter wide FoB connecting all platforms, station building extension to accommodate better passenger, pilgrim facilities, ?modern and state of art lifts and escalators connecting FoBs to platforms & modular design for future extension”. Meanwhile, Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh unveiled a plaque marking the formal redevelopment of the Mata Vaishno Devi railway station, which is part of his Udhampur parliamentary constituency.
virtual foundation stone laying ceremony of redevelopment of Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station, Katra by PM Narendra Modi on Monday.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Singh said the inclusion of the Katra station in the Amrit Bharat Station scheme is reflective of the prime minister’s special focus for the development of this region.
Recalling that the station was among the first stations chosen for the rollout of the Vande Bharat train, the minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office said it also holds the distinction of being the first station in the country where a solar power facility was unveiled.
“As part of today’s endeavour, besides the Katra station, three other stations — Udhampur, Jammu and Budgam — will also be redeveloped as Amrit stations. Among the four, three are in the Jammu region. This reinforces the prime minister’s commitment for the development of Jammu and Kashmir,” Singh said.
He said the Katra station will emerge as an inter-modal station, integrating rail, road and air travel so that people can move from one mode to another seamlessly.
Singh said Modi has chosen Katra — the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine — as part of the country’s development journey.
“Ever since Modi assumed the country’s leadership, there has been a transformation in the citizens’ mindset,” he said, adding that the prime minister has ensured a level-playing field for the welfare of every person and region in the country.
The Union minister said it has been ensured that every citizen and region of the country utilises their maximum potential commensurate with their talent and resources.
“Now, a poor man’s son or daughter can dream big, compete in prestigious examinations like civil services and reach the 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. Singh said the number of development projects the country has seen in the last 10 years is unparalleled. “The pace of development has been accelerated to realise the goal of Viksit Bharat,” he added.