Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday voiced opposition to reported swapping of trains at Katra for travel to Kashmir Valley, underling that it would “defeat the very purpose of the line and render the thousands of crores of investment pointless.”
“Just to remove any chance of any misunderstanding, while we understand the need to secure the train & the passengers who will travel using it, making passengers change trains will defeat the very purpose of the line and render the thousands of crores of investment pointless,” Chief Minister said in a post on ‘X’.
“Check the train/passengers in Katra or Jammu sure but NO change of train will be supported by us,” he said, adding, “That said there is no concrete proposal & when there is we will give our inputs/suggestions.”
Earlier, Omar while talking to reporters in Gulmarg said that there should be no objection to anyone as regards security check at Katra.
“After all, those travelling through the train would like not to be harmed or attacked etc and we will also like that there is no harm to any commuter and in order to ensure that there is no harm to any passengers, if there is need for security stop, so be it till the situation completely normalises,” he said, adding, “However, this is a decision to be taken by the railway authorities.” (GNS)
Omar, an avid skier, after hitting the ski slopes in Gulmarg, said, “Though snowfall is less this season, it’s still good. We need more snow for better skiing experiences, but for now, we’ll work on mending the ski tracks during the summer.”
The Chief Minister pointed out the untapped skiing potential of other destinations like Sonamarg and Dodpathri. “While Sonamarg has great scope for skiing, Dodpathri too could be utilized for other activities. We’ve engaged a consultant to assess and suggest the best activities for each location,” he added.
Omar said that the setting up of a convention center in Gulmarg would attract international conferences and meetings. “We lacked a convention center here, but now we’ll have one. This will not only bring national leaders but also position Gulmarg as a prime international destination for events. It’s going to be a significant asset for the region,” he stated.
Inviting tourists to Kashmir, Omar encouraged them to experience the Valley’s unmatched hospitality and scenic beauty. “We hope they leave with unforgettable memories,” he said.
Stop for Security okay but no train swap: CM
