In a key move to further boost connectivity in the region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple railway projects, virtually. He said the last decade has been ”the decade of visible transformation of Indian railways”, and this is just a beginning.

The PM inaugurated New Jammu Railway Division, Charlapalli New Terminal Station in Telangana and laid the foundation stone for the Rayagada Railway Division Building of East Coast Railway.

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In his address, Prime Minister Modi said, “The last decade has been the decade of visible transformation of Indian railway. The changes that have been brought – has changed the image of the country and has given confidence to the countrymen…”

He said the country is moving ahead together. ”Our country now has over 1000 km of metro network… The projects that have been inaugurated today – for Telangana, Odisha and Jammu & Kashmir – it’s a huge milestone in connectivity. It shows that the country is moving ahead together. This is ‘sab ka saath sab ka vikas’…”

PM Modi said this is just the beginning – time is not far when the first bullet train will run in the country.
“Two- three days back, I was watching a video – the new sleeper version of Vande Bharat train was running at the speed of 180 km/hr, in trial. It makes me feel good, not only to me but to everyone for sure. This is just the beginning – time is not far when the first bullet train will run in the country..,” he said.

He extended his best wishes to the nation on the occasion of Prakash Utsav of Guru Govind Singh, saying that ”His ideas inspire us to have a prosperous and empowered India.”

Creation of the Jammu Railway Division, with 742.1 KM comprising Pathankot – Jammu – Udhampur – Srinagar – Baramulla, Bhogpur Sirwal – Pathankot, Batala – Pathankot and Pathankot to Joginder Nagar sections, will significantly benefit Jammu and Kashmir and surrounding regions, fulfilling the long pending aspiration of the people and improving connectivity to other parts of India. It will create employment opportunities, infrastructure development, promote tourism and lead to overall socio-economic development of the region.

Charlapalli New Terminal Station in the Medchal-Malkajgiri District of Telangana has been developed as a new coaching terminal along with provision of second entry with a cost of around Rs 413 crore. This environment-friendly terminal, having good passenger amenities, will ease congestion on the existing coaching terminals in the city like Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kacheguda.

The Rayagada Railway Division Building of East Coast Railway will improve connectivity in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and nearby areas and lead to overall socio-economic development of the region.