Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugrates the Udhampur-Katra line Friday July 04,2014

PM Narendra Modi inaugrates the Udhampur-Katra line on Friday July 04,2014

The Katra-Udhampur train will link the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine near Katra with the rest of the country

Trying to win over the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday evoked Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Kashmir vision and said the journey flagged off by the former PM will be taken ahead by his government. 

Modi made the comments after flagging off the Katra-Udhampur train, which will link the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine near Katra with the rest of the country. He named the new train Shree Shakti Express.

"Our aim is to win hearts of people of J&K through development," Modi said, addressing the people. "And it is our collective responsibility whether we are in power or not to make J&K prosper." 

"It is our responsibility that the youth get employment and new avenues of employment should reach them. They should get a chance to live a new life. It should be our responsibility and duty that benefits of development reach the common man living in the remotest corner of the country''

Three principles

Vajpayee, on his visit to the Valley as Prime Minister in 2003 during the NDA rule, had called for resolution of Kashmir within the ambit of humanism. Vajpayee had said that he wishes to resolve all issues through talks and with guidance of three principles - Insaaniyat (humanism), Jamhooriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat (Kashmir's age old legacy of amity).

Katra, which is the base camp town of Mata Vaishno Devi, will be linked with the rest of the country now.

"This is a facility not only for the people of J&K but also for the people of India, who want to visit J&K," Modi said.

Modi said the train would bring development to Katra and Jammu will also get the benefit.

"I assure you that there will be no shortage or obstacle in the development of Jammu," he said allying fears of Jammu city people that with direct link Katra pilgrims would not touch Jammu city. "We will in fact make Jammu's development more qualitative," he added.

While welcoming the Prime Minister, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah underlined the importance of railways in Jammu and Kashmir and highlighted the need for early completion of unconnected stretches of Jammu-Baramulla (Kashmir) railway track.

The chief minister also highlighted the need for linking Poonch-Rajouri, Doda- Kishtwar areas of Jammu with the railways and the extension of railway tracks in Kashmir Valley to various places particularly Tangmarg, Pahalgam and other tourist resorts. He also said the Jammu railway station should be made into the state of art station. Even though the pictures released showed Modi with Omar exchanging smiles, the two did not talk to each other while they were seated at the podium.

Omar has been critical of Modi in his election campaign. The CM's speech on Friday did not spare him either. Omar gave credit to former PM Manmohan Singh for the rail link. "This train in Kashmir was a dream and there is significant contribution made by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr. Manmohan Singh in realizing this cherished desire of the people," he said.