Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Oct 3: As a follow-up to an earlier request made by him to the Union Railway Minister, Sadananda Gowda on August 26, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, MoS in PMO,Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, today formally put up a written proposal for deploying more number of local Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains between Udhampur and Jammu.
Dr. Jitendra Singh explained that some of the DMUs which were earlier plying between Udhampur and Jammu have since been diverted to Katra. This has resulted in inconvenience to the local passengers between Udhampur and Jammu, he said, adding that the problem has become all the more compounded and conspicuously visible in the aftermath of the recent flash-floods and rains.
Describing the inauguration of Railway Station at Katra Vaishno Devi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a historic landmark, Dr Jitendra Singh said that while he will continue to strive for further improving the rail journey facilities to Katra, he would at the same time also seek to make sure that this does not cause any discomfiture or harassment to the passengers boarding from Udhampur.
He recalled that he had personally met Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda and requested him for additional DMUs between Jammu and Udhampur but he could not do adequate follow-up of the matter during the last one month because he got too preoccupied in coordinating the rescue and relief operations following sudden unforeseen circumstances resulting from flash floods in the State.
Meanwhile, Dr Jitendra Singh also informed that 4-laning of 65 km. road between Jammu and Udhampur section has been completed at a cost of Rs 1814 crore and a formal ceremony to dedicate it to the nation in the presence of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had been deferred for the time being because of the incompatible situation arising out of floods.
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