Farooq Abdullah Lauds Vande Bharat Train Service to Kashmir as a Historic Milestone, Says Chenab Bridge Crossing Moved Him to Tears
In a heartfelt and emotional statement, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) President Dr. Farooq Abdullah expressed deep appreciation for the newly launched train service connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India, hailing it as a transformative step for the region.
The veteran leader, who was aboard the Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express on June 10, described the experience as profoundly moving and symbolically significant.
Abdullah, accompanied by several senior members of his party, boarded the high-speed train from Nowgam Railway Station in Srinagar and travelled to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station — a journey that just weeks ago was impossible due to a lack of direct rail connectivity.
The train service, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi only a week earlier, is the first of its kind to operate directly between the Kashmir Valley and the pilgrimage town of Katra in the Jammu region.
Speaking to reporters upon arrival, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister shared his deep emotional response during the journey. “I cannot express how overwhelmed I was,” he said, visibly moved.
“The moment the train crossed the Chenab Bridge, my eyes welled up with tears. It was not just the sight of the engineering marvel, but the realization of what this bridge — and this railway line — truly represents.”
He went on to explain that the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, was not only a feat of extraordinary engineering but also a powerful symbol of integration and unity.
“For decades, we have been waiting for this moment — to see Kashmir fully and seamlessly connected to the rest of India by rail. Today, that dream has finally come true,” he said.
Abdullah was generous in his praise for the thousands of workers, engineers, and railway officials who made the ambitious infrastructure project a reality.
“This achievement belongs to every single person who toiled — often in the harshest conditions imaginable — to make this railway dream come true. I salute their courage, their vision, and their commitment.”
He also emphasized the socio-economic benefits that such connectivity would bring. “This train is not just steel and speed; it is a vehicle of opportunity,” Abdullah said. “It will open up countless avenues for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
From tourism and trade to education and employment, the benefits of this rail service will be felt across the region. It will help our youth travel more easily for studies and jobs, and it will bring tourists and pilgrims more comfortably into the Valley, boosting our economy and livelihoods.”
The 86-year-old political leader, often seen as a voice for Kashmiri aspirations, acknowledged the symbolism of his journey. “I wanted to experience this train ride myself — not just as a politician, but as a proud citizen of Jammu and Kashmir.
I wanted to feel, firsthand, what it means to be connected to the rest of the country by rail. And I must say, it was one of the most emotional journeys of my life.”
Abdullah concluded by reiterating the need for development that bridges divides. “This is how we build a stronger nation — by creating infrastructure that unites, not divides.
Let us keep politics aside when it comes to progress. Today, I want to thank everyone involved, regardless of their political affiliation, for giving the people of Jammu and Kashmir this gift of connection, dignity, and hope.”
The Vande Bharat train to Katra is expected to become a lifeline for both local commuters and the millions of pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine annually.
With this milestone, the long-standing dream of bringing the Kashmir Valley onto India’s railway map has finally taken a major leap forward.
