Suresh Prabhu flags off Andaman Express through remote control from Jammu Tawi

This is the extension of the existing train from Jammu Tawi to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra(SVDK). The flagging off was done through remote control by organising a video conferencing by Rail Bhawan (New Delhi) and Jammu Tawi Railway Station. 

Other Dignitaries present at the function at New Delhi end included Jitender Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Development of North Eastern Region, and MOS in Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Manoj Sinha, Union Minister of State for Railways, Nirmal Kumar Singh, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Power Development and Housing & Urban Development, Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir, A.K. Puthia General Manager, Northern Railway. 

At Jammu end, Shamsher Singh Manhas, MP, Rajya Sabha, Sat Sharma, MLA, Jammu and Kashmir were among those present on the occasion.

In his address, Prabhu said that it is necessary to provide good transportation facilities to the places of pilgrimage from every part of the country. Indian Railway is making sincere efforts in providing best connectivity to the places of pilgrimage. 

He said that Ministry of Railway is committed to the development of Railway infrastructure in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that a meeting of consultative committee attached with Ministry of Railway was organised at Srinagar recently. 

The minister added that he will soon hold a meeting at Jammu to review the progress of various Railway Projects. Prabhu reiterated that the Prime Minister has always been emphasizing the need to give priority to the development activities in Jammu and Kashmir.  

Jitender Singh said that it is heartening to see that Indian Railways is paying a lot of attention to the development of the Railway Infrastructure in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. He complemented Indian Railways for meeting the demand of people of Katra for increased connectivity with rest of the Nation. 

He also pointed out that Railway represents the culture of the country. He said that when the train services reached Katra, many people of the region saw a train for the first time in the life.

Nirmal Singh appreciated the steps taken by Indian Railways to provide better connectivity to Katra from different parts of the country. 

He said that the Prime Minister has been personally concerned about the Railway Projects in the Jammu and  Kashmir. He praised the Railway Minister for his dynamism and initiatives in improving the Railway services.

A.K.Puthia in his welcome address outlined the progress of various Railway Projects being undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir.