PM Narendra Modi flags off Katra train

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that the Centre wants to win the hearts of people of Jammu and Kashmir through development as he flagged off the train linking Katra--the base camp for pilgrims headed to Vaishno Devi shrine.

Updated: July 4, 2014 17:45 IST

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda, Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, N N Vohra, J&K CM Omar Abdullah flagging off the first train (Shri Shakti Express) to Udhampur, from Katra Railway Station on Friday.
Modi declared that the Centre wants to win the hearts of people of Jammu and Kashmir through development. (Source: PTI)

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Narendra Modi with Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda, Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, N N Vohra, J&K CM Omar Abdullah flagging off the train.
Modi, who is on his maiden visit to J and K after assuming power, said the state has gone through many "problems and difficulties" and the country wants it to be "prosperous and peaceful". (Source: PTI)

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Modi with Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda, Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, N N Vohra, J&K CM Omar Abdullah flagging off the first train (Shri Shakti Express) to Udhampur, from Katra on Friday.

The train connectivity to Katra is part of the ambitious Kashmir rail link project that will connect the Valley with the rest of the country. (Source: PTI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah during the flag off ceremony.

The 25-km long Udhampur-Katra line, commissioned after prolonged delays, has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,132.75 crore. (Source: PTI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda, Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, N N Vohra, J&K CM Omar Abdullah flagging off the first train (Shri Shakti Express) to Udhampur, from Katra Railway Station on Friday.

The Prime Minister said the new rail link will speed up the process of development in the state. "The journey started by Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be continued... our priority is to win the hearts of every citizen of this state through development," Modi said. (Source: PTI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with children on board the inaugural train on the new Katra-Udhampur rail link on Friday. (Source: PTI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi boards the inaugural train on the Katra-Udhampur rail link after its inauguration, at Katra Railway Station on Friday. (Source: PTI)