Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced a major update on the Kanyakumari-Srinagar rail link. Speaking exclusively to Moneycontrol, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may dedicate the ambitious project to the nation in the third week of April.
Speaking about the improved rail connectivity in the region, he said, “Srinagar is now connected to Kanyakumari. I hope that the honourable Prime Minister will perhaps dedicate this rail link to the country on the 19th of this month.”
The Lieutenant Governor also emphasised the significant improvement in air connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.
“A new terminal is being built in Jammu, capacity has expanded, night landing has started and the number of flights has increased considerably compared to earlier,” he told Brajesh Kumar Singh, Group Editor-Convergence, Network18 during Moneycontrol Hindi's podcast 'Samvad'.
He further stated that connectivity is key to progress -- and almost all villages with over 250 people (as per the 2001 Census) were linked by road, with just three left out. “Today people reach Srinagar from Jammu in just 4-4.5 hours. Work is underway on highways, expressways and tunnels worth roughly Rs 1.5 lakh crore and this has provided a lot of convenience to the people,” Sinha said.
Earlier in January, Sinha had thanked PM Modi for turning the Jammu railway division into a reality. He said the move to connect Kashmir with the national rail network is more than just infrastructure—it’s a foundation for unity, growth, and a brighter future for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking on the progress in developing a comprehensive railway network in the Union Territory, the lieutenant governor said the Indian Railways stands at the forefront of Jammu and Kashmir’s journey toward becoming a developed and self-reliant region.
“For Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Railways is spearheading a new era of development and integration. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) will seamlessly connect Kashmir to Kanyakumari, boosting tourism, trade and employment opportunities in the region,” Sinha said.
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