National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday expressed deep emotion and optimism as he travelled on the newly launched Vande Bharat train from Srinagar to Katra, calling it a significant development for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“This is the biggest benefit for us,” Abdullah told reporters before boarding the train at Nowgam Railway Station, accompanied by several party colleagues. “I am very happy to be travelling to Katra by this train today.”
The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister completed his journey at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station. Speaking to the media after the ride, Abdullah recalled becoming emotional as the train crossed the iconic Chenab Bridge.
“I had tears in my eyes when we crossed the Chenab Bridge,” he said. “This is the biggest gift to connect Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. Finally, the day has come when we can travel across India by train from Kashmir.”
Abdullah also lauded the engineers and workers behind the ambitious project, thanking them for making the long-awaited dream of rail connectivity from the Valley to the rest of India a reality.
