RCR for Katra, various Rly Stns get OSOP
*PM revolutionizing rail infra, says LG
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid foundation stone and dedicated Railway projects worth over Rs 85,000 crore including Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra at Srinagar Railway Station and Gati Shakti Terminal at Samba, virtually from Sabarmati in Gujarat.
Modi also dedicated ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) stalls at various Railway Stations and Rail Coach Restaurant (RCR) at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha joined the function through video conferencing from Jammu.
The Prime Minister dedicated ‘One Station One Product’ stalls at Anantnag, Awantipora, Banihal, Baramulla, Budgam, Jammu, Qazigund, Katra, Srinagar, Bijbehara, Kathua, Pampore, Pattan, Kakapora, Panzgam, Sadoor and Mazhom Railway Stations.
Officials said ‘One Station One Product’ will promote rich heritage of these areas and will also strengthen ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘One District One Product Campaign’. These stalls will provide passengers the opportunity of experience and purchase authentic local goods, they added.
“The ‘One Station One Product’ stalls will provide additional income opportunities to artisans from marginal sections,’’ according to the officials.
Modi also dedicated Rail Coach restaurant at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station.
The PM launched Gati Shakti Terminal at Samba which will play a pivotal role in bolstering transportation networks and streamlining movement of goods across the region.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for revolutionizing rail infrastructure and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir and dedicating number of railway projects to the Union Territory.
“A significant day for railway connectivity and infrastructure in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone, dedicated Railway projects worth over Rs 85,000 crores that will shape economic trajectory of various States and Union Territories,’’ he said.
Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Lieutenant Governor said the opening of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) at Srinagar Railway Station will ensure quality medicines at affordable prices to passengers and livelihood opportunities to many.
Addressing the function, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his Government undertakes developmental works as a part of its mission to build the nation and not to win elections as perceived by some people.
The PM launched Rs 1,06,000 crore development projects for the country at an event in Sabarmati area of Gujarat’s Ahmedabad city after visiting the Dedicated Freight Corridor’s (DFC) Operation Control Centre near the venue, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
These comprise Rs 85,000 crore railway projects, including the launch of 10 new Vande Bharat trains, and a petrochemicals complex coming up at Dahej in Gujarat’s Bharuch district with an investment of Rs 20,600 crore.
Modi said that in the last 10 years, his Government spent around six times more amount for the development of Railways than was done earlier.
In just two months of 2024, his Government inaugurated and laid the foundation of Rs 11 lakh crore projects, he added.
Modi said his government has shown a strong willpower to pull the Railways out of a “hell-like situation” and this sector’s development is among their topmost priorities.
Referring to the DFC, Modi said that for decades, there was a demand of separate tracks for goods trains.
It would have increased the speed of both passenger and goods trains and was also necessary to boost agriculture, trade and export activities, he said.
“But under the Congress regime, this project was either delayed or hit roadblocks. Today, we are inaugurating the freight corridor having a length of 650 km,’ said the PM.