Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Thursday flagged off the first Vistadome coach train in Kashmir valley from Banihal to Srinagar railway stations.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Railway Minister said, in the last nine years, Jammu Kashmir has changed a lot and the change is discernible on the ground.
“After abrogation of Article 370, development of Jammu and Kashmir is pacing fast. In Railways also, various development projects have been ongoing and the development work has been completed on Chenab Bridge, Anji Bridge, tunnels are also finalized except on some portion,” he said.
In his address, the Lt Governor congratulated the people of J&K on the momentous occasion.
“We are grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for introducing Vistadome train services in the Kashmir Valley. Vistadome is a symbol that facilities available in developed countries are now accessible to people of J&K,” the Lt Governor said.
He also expressed gratitude to Sh Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways for elevating the travel experience of people and tourists.
Junaid Azim Mattu, Farooq Abdullah, Member of Parliament; Sh Aftab Malik, Chairman, DDC Srinagar; senior officials of Northern Railways, Civil and Police Administration and people in large numbers attended the launch ceremony.
Also, the Union Minister and Chief Ministers of Assam and Tripura joined the ceremony through video-conferencing.
(GNS)
