We believe it is only an oversight and nothing deliberate that the Railway Minister made no mention of Katra – Kalka rail link in his railway budget for 2015-16 announced last month. We need to remind him that this link had been thoroughly considered by two previous Railway Ministers on its merit. Jammu region has close commercial, trade, social and cultural links with Punjab. Interaction between the two capital cities of Jammu and the UT of Chandigarh is pivotal to this interaction. Pilgrimage of the devout to the Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and to the holy cave of Amarnath ji in Kashmir brings hundreds of thousands to Katra station but the UT of Chandigarh and a vast hinterland is denied this facility. Jammu Chamber of Commerce and especially student community in entire J&K is disappointed on Railway Minister’s silence about rail connectivity between Katra and Kalka. Shelving of the proposal gives credence to the rumours of nexus between the local private bus transport companies and the Northern Railways. In this connection we would also remind the Railway Board for the umpteenth time that Jammu railway station stands in shambles. It is a slur on Indian railway. The Northern Railways are not interested in clearing the mess and giving a face lift to the entire premises of the railway station just because the powerful transport lobby of Jammu opposes it. State Government and politicians should take up the case with Railway Minister and see to it that Jammu railway station gets a new look altogether befitting the taste of millions of pilgrimage and other tourists who pass through it.
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