PM Modi to flag off first Vande Bharat train to Kashmir on April 19, says Jitendra Singh
Jammu (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat train to Kashmir on April 19 from Katra, marking the completion of the 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project.
The Jammu-Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will initially operate from Katra as the Jammu railway station is undergoing renovation.
According to officials, the rail link project was completed last month. Trial runs of the train on the Katra-Baramulla route have been successfully conducted. The Commissioner of Railway Safety approved the train service between Katra and Kashmir in January, they said.
The Vande Bharat Express is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar, providing a modern and efficient rail service for the region, they said.
Speaking to reporters in Jammu on Sunday, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, "Prime Minister Modi will arrive in Udhampur on April 19. He will visit the world's highest railway bridge and inaugurate it. After that, he will flag off the Vande Bharat train from Katra."
The inauguration of the train will fulfil a long demand for direct rail connectivity to Kashmir. Currently, train services operate only between Sangaldan and Baramulla in the Valley and from Katra to destinations across the country.
Officials said the ambitious project to link Kashmir by train began in 1997 but faced multiple delays due to geological, topographical, and meteorological challenges.
The project includes 38 tunnels spanning a total of 119 km, with the longest among them being the 12.75 km-long Tunnel T-49. It is also the country's longest transportation tunnel.
The project also features 927 bridges, covering a combined length of 13 kilometres. Among them is the iconic Chenab Bridge, which has an overall length of 1,315 meters, an arch span of 467 meters, and stands 359 meters above the riverbed. Being 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower, it is set to be the world’s highest arch railway bridge.
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Two held for Rs 1.13 crore gold theft at Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan residence in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Shivajinagar Police have arrested two persons for allegedly stealing gold ornaments worth Rs 1.13 crore from the Pulakeshinagar residence of Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan.
The accused have been identified as Ameer Ahmed and his associate Syed Ameer, Deccan Herald reported.
Police said Ameer Ahmed is known to the family and is a distant relative of the minister’s mother, Sogar Khanam. He had been visiting the house regularly and had reportedly gained the family’s trust by offering assistance.
According to police, He had suffered losses in his travel business and was in financial distress. He had allegedly sought Rs 5 lakh as financial help from the family and expressed a desire to travel to Mecca. When he didn't get help, Ahmed allegedly conspired with his associate Syed and carried out the theft.
Investigators said the duo pledged the stolen gold ornaments at a private finance company and invested the proceeds in real estate ventures.
Suspicion arose after Ahmed stopped visiting the house, following the theft. He also stopped responding to phone calls. His mobile phone remaining switched off post the incident, further raised doubts, leading police to track and arrest him.
During interrogation, both accused reportedly confessed to the crime. Based on the information provided, police recovered the stolen gold ornaments.
