Modi Opens Katra Rail Link, Vows To Walk Vajpayee's Path

Katra: Making his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after taking office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday inaugurated the Katra-Udhampur rail link and pledged to realize the dream of Atal Bihari Vajpayee to restore peace in the troubled state.

Addressing a public meeting after flagging off the train from Katra, at the foothills of the Mata Vaishno Devi temple, Modi said: "Jammu and Kashmir has passed through very trying times. It is every Indian's desire to ensure that the state makes progress and youths here get employment."

"It is our duty, and we will do it, whether we are in power in the state or not," he added.

"I want to give a message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the journey started by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the state will be taken to its logical conclusion."

Modi's reference was to the 2003 visit to the Kashmir Valley by the now ailing Vajpayee when he was prime minister and the "hand of friendship" he extended to Pakistan.

The prime minister, who earlier flew in to Jammu, said the 25-km Katra-Udhampur rail link had been inaugurated at a time when the Amarnath Yatra was on and during the holy month of Ramadan.

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