PM Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the new Jammu Railway Division today, marking a significant milestone in the Union Territory’s development.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for dedicating this crucial division. “This new division is strategically significant and will also drive economic growth, employment, infrastructure development, and new tourist circuits,” he said.
Highlighting the progress in developing a comprehensive railway network in Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the transformative role of Indian Railways. “For Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Railways is leading a new era of development and integration. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) will seamlessly connect Kashmir to Kanyakumari, enhancing tourism, trade, and employment opportunities,” he noted.
The Lieutenant Governor added that connecting Kashmir to the national railway network has laid the foundation for a prosperous and unified future for the region.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, infrastructure development across sectors in Jammu and Kashmir has set new benchmarks. “With a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation, we are building a foundation for economic growth and improved livelihoods, empowering everyone to realize the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047,” he said.
He further highlighted the economic potential unlocked by enhanced connectivity. Improved transportation is facilitating trade, encouraging industrialization, and enabling the efficient movement of raw materials and finished goods. This progress is also boosting tourism and socio-economic upliftment across the region.
Several transformative railway projects are in the pipeline to improve connectivity and foster development in Jammu and Kashmir. Surveys are underway for the Anantnag-Bijbehara-Pahalgam (78 km) and Awantipora-Shopian (28 km) rail lines. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are being examined for new lines between Baramulla-Uri (46 km), Baramulla-Kupwara (39 km), Jammu-Poonch via Akhnoor-Rajouri (223 km), Manwal-Talra via Ramkote-Billawar-Dunera (117 km), Sopore-Kupwara (37 km), Pathankot-Leh (664 km), Bilaspur-Manali-Leh (489 km), and the doubling of the Baramulla-Banihal line.
“These projects will connect key towns and regions, unlocking untapped potential and boosting local economies,” the Lieutenant Governor said. He also called for exploring the establishment of private freight terminals to support the growing industrial hubs in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua, enabling efficient transportation of goods and products.
Acknowledging the contributions of various stakeholders, the Lieutenant Governor specifically remembered the efforts of Late Shri Devender Singh Rana in realizing the new Jammu Railway Division. He also announced that the Z-Morh tunnel would soon be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, further enhancing regional connectivity.
The Jammu Railway Division encompasses 742.1 km of rail lines, including Pathankot-Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla, Bhogpur Sirwal-Pathankot, Batala-Pathankot, and Pathankot-Joginder Nagar sections. This development fulfills a long-standing aspiration of the people, significantly improving connectivity to other parts of India.
The new division is expected to generate employment opportunities, enhance infrastructure, promote tourism, and catalyze overall socio-economic development in the region.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, MLAs Sunil Sharma and Vikram Randhawa, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, General Manager Northern Railways Ashok Kumar Verma, and other senior officials, political leaders, and prominent citizens.