Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Mata Vaishno Devi railway station in Jammu’s Katra city as part of the Amrit Bharat Station scheme.
With an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore, the revamped Mata Vaishno Devi railway station will enhance the existing facilities and introduce new amenities for passengers.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Union minister Jitendra Singh mentioned that the inclusion of the Katra station in Indian Railways’ marquee Amrit Bharat Station scheme is reflective of the prime minister’s special focus on the development of this region.
“As part of today’s endeavour, besides the Katra station, three other stations Udhampur, Jammu, and Budgam will also be redeveloped as Amrit stations. Among the four, three are in the Jammu region,” Singh said.
Emphasising that the station was among the first stations chosen for the rollout of the Vande Bharat train, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office said it also holds the distinction of being the first station in the country where a solar power facility was unveiled.
Union minister Jitendra Singh also unveiled a plaque marking the formal redevelopment of the Mata Vaishno Devi railway station, which is part of his Udhampur parliamentary constituency in the Reasi district.
State-of-art station for enhanced passenger facilities
The redeveloped stations in J&K including Mata Vaishno Devi station will be constructed with environment-friendly and Divyang-friendly facilities. The design of the station buildings will be inspired by local culture, heritage, and architecture, the Union Minister said.
The Katra station will become an intermodal station, integrating rail, road, and air travel so that people can move from one mode to another seamlessly, he added.
PM Modi also laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation 1,500 road overbridges and underpasses.
One of those costing Rs 49 crore will be in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, an official spokesperson said.
Spread across 24 states and Union territories, These road overbridges and underpasses are estimated to be around Rs 21,520 crore. These projects will enhance safety, reduce congestion, connectivity, and efficiency of rail travel.