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Kashmir rail link to Jammu opened by Manmohan Singh | Kashmir rail link to Jammu opened by Manmohan Singh |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The first train connecting the Kashmir valley with the southern Jammu region has begun its journey in Indian-administered Kashmir. | The first train connecting the Kashmir valley with the southern Jammu region has begun its journey in Indian-administered Kashmir. |
The newly-built 18km (11-mile) stretch connects Banihal in Jammu with Qazigund in the valley. | The newly-built 18km (11-mile) stretch connects Banihal in Jammu with Qazigund in the valley. |
However, Banihal is yet to be connected to India's huge railway network. | However, Banihal is yet to be connected to India's huge railway network. |
Officials say that is likely to happen in 2017 when the Banihal station will be linked with Udhampur, 121km (75 miles) away. | |
The ambitious train project aims to link the region with India's vast railway network, easing travel between Srinagar and the rest of the country. | The ambitious train project aims to link the region with India's vast railway network, easing travel between Srinagar and the rest of the country. |
It also aims to provide an all-weather surface link between Srinagar and Jammu region where the present road link frequently gets cut in bad weather. | |
The new stretch is added to the 118km (73-mile) train line that already runs through the valley, connecting Baramullah in the north with Qazigund in the south. | The new stretch is added to the 118km (73-mile) train line that already runs through the valley, connecting Baramullah in the north with Qazigund in the south. |
Multi-million dollar tunnel | Multi-million dollar tunnel |
The train was flagged off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday. | The train was flagged off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday. |
For the launch, the station at Banihal was decorated with flowers and garlands, and an eight-coach train, carrying schoolchildren and officials, travelled to Qazigund in 25 minutes. | For the launch, the station at Banihal was decorated with flowers and garlands, and an eight-coach train, carrying schoolchildren and officials, travelled to Qazigund in 25 minutes. |
The train passes through an 11km multi-million dollar tunnel which cuts through the Pir Panjal mountain range. | The train passes through an 11km multi-million dollar tunnel which cuts through the Pir Panjal mountain range. |
On Tuesday, PM Singh and Mrs Gandhi laid the foundation of a power project in Kishtwar. | On Tuesday, PM Singh and Mrs Gandhi laid the foundation of a power project in Kishtwar. |
Separatists observed a two-day strike to coincide with their visit, saying the Kashmir dispute could not be resolved by economic grants and infrastructure projects. | Separatists observed a two-day strike to coincide with their visit, saying the Kashmir dispute could not be resolved by economic grants and infrastructure projects. |
On the eve of the prime minister's two-day visit to the disputed territory, militants killed eight soldiers in the deadliest such attack there in five years. | |
Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, has seen an armed insurgency against Indian rule since 1989. | Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, has seen an armed insurgency against Indian rule since 1989. |
In recent years violence has abated from its peak in the 1990s, but the causes of the insurgency are still far from resolved. | In recent years violence has abated from its peak in the 1990s, but the causes of the insurgency are still far from resolved. |
After a lull in violence for a few years, militant activity has risen in recent weeks, with busy marketplaces often targeted. | After a lull in violence for a few years, militant activity has risen in recent weeks, with busy marketplaces often targeted. |
Two policemen were shot and killed by militants in Srinagar over the weekend. | Two policemen were shot and killed by militants in Srinagar over the weekend. |
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