Progress on track: PM to unveil 'project of century' in J-K

TRAIN-ING EYES ON DEVELOPMENT: This train will connect Baramulla in the north and Kazikund in south Kashmir.

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Srinagar: The dream of seeing trains making their way through the Kashmir valley has finally come true.

The Northern Railways have completed the construction of a 119-kilometer railway track that will connect Baramulla in the north and Kazikund in south Kashmir.

“This project will go from Udhampur to Baramulla, Srinagar and Kajigund. It's an important project not just for the region but for the Indians railways as well. It would be fair to call it the project of the century,” says CEO, AIRCON Railway R K Gupta.

The project was undertaken by the Northern Railways in 2003 but took five years to complete as Separatists played spoilsport.

A new railway line will bring progress in the state right on track, say the residents.

Says Hilal Ahmed, a resident, ‘We are very happy that such a good step has been taken in Kashmir. We will benefit a lot from this. Our goods will be delivered faster.”

Agrees another, Sajad Ahmed, “Good we will be seeing trains in the valley.”

With the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh all set to inaugurate a 66-km stretch of the line on Saturday, security has been tightened.

Meanwhile, the separatists have called for a two-day strike to protest the PM’s visit to the Valley.