Trains to reach Srinagar ‘very soon’: PM Modi

High-speed trains will run in Kashmir: Indian PM Narendra Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that high-speed trains will run in Kashmir 'very soon'.

While addressing a rally at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar, Modi said, "I assure you that the day is not far when the train will reach Srinagar.” This will give a boost to the tourism sector of Kashmir, he added.

The Prime Minister said the work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project is going on in full swing and the people of Kashmir will get the benefit soon. He mentioned that the project was started in 2008-09 but the work was delayed due to various reasons.

Modi said the government is committed to the development of Jammu and Kashmir and it is taking several steps to improve connectivity in the region. He also highlighted other infrastructure projects being undertaken in the union territory, such as the construction of roads, tunnels, and bridges.

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project is a 272-km long railway line that will connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India. The project is expected to be completed by 2023 and will reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar to around two hours.

The project is being built at a cost of over Rs 28,000 crore and will have a number of stations along the route, including Udhampur, Katra, Banihal, Qazigund, and Baramulla.

Once completed, the project will provide a much-needed boost to the tourism sector in Kashmir and will also improve connectivity between the region and the rest of India.