Piyush Goyal: 'Will connect Kashmir to Kanyakumari by August 15, 2022

The Union Minister of Railways, Piyush Goyal, has said that the Indian Railways will be connecting the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari before August 15, 2022. The minister spoke about the pace of various ongoing projects on Thursday. Addressing the people at the flagging-off ceremony of Vande Bharat Express from New Delhi to Katra he highlighted how the work in Kashmir used to be halted due to terrorist activities, but expressed hope now that Article 370 has been abrogated. He also said that the WiFi facility is available at almost 5,000 railway stations in India and soon the number will increase to 6,500 stations.

Piyush Goyal at the flagging-off ceremony of Vande Bharat 

Railways Minister, in his address at the ceremony, said, “Katra to Banihar section is being constructed quickly and work on the Chenab bridge is underway. Soon Indian Railways will connect the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari before August 15th, 2022. Earlier, work was halted due to terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Acting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision of abrogating Article 370, Amit Shah has taken bold steps. People are now associating themselves with Kashmir. Prime Minister on August 15 said Vande Bharat train will go to every corner of the country. Indian Railways will connect the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Kamrup to Kutch before August 15, 2022.” 

Read: Vande Bharat Delhi-Katra Express launched: Here's all you need to know

PM Narendra Modi took to Twitter to remark on the launch of the Vande Bharat Express:

Read: Vande Bharat Train: Ticket prices, route, stations, features

Boosting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir 

Home Minister, Amit Shah at the ceremony said, “Before the abrogation of Article 370, there were many obstacles in J&K's path to development. In the next 10 years, J&K will be one of the most developed states. The journey of development has begun with Vande Bharat Express set to boost tourism in the state”. Union Ministers, Piyush Goyal, Amit Shah along, Dr. Jitendra Singh and Dr. Harsh Vardhan flagged-off the Vande Bharat Express from New Delhi to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. Piyush Goyal also added that the Home Minister has emphasised on security in trains and railway stations, so they are installing CCTV cameras at railway stations.  

(With PTI Inputs)

Read: Vande Bharat Express' first run on October 5 for Delhi-Katra route

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