Importance of connectivity
We all know the importance of connectivity in today’s world. Be it achieving new heights in development or creating standard facilities for the citizens, the importance of connectivity cannot be ignored.
In todays developed world the only criteria that marks a clear and visible distinction among the developed and developing regions is the availability of quality and dependable connectivity.
Jammu and Kashmir too has been facing serious issues on the connectivity front. However, the past decade has seen tremendous growth in this sector as both the air and road connectivity has made huge strides in the region.
The impact is so huge that Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing development all around. Tourism, sports, health, infrastructure development and road infrastructure has witnessed immense evolution and the process continues.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which once used to consume days together to let people reach their destinations in now letting people reach Jammu or Srinagar and vice versa in just four to five hours.
Similarly, given any particular day, the Srinagar International airport is buzzing with activity with dozens of flights landing and taking off even during night hours. The phenomenon has become so impressive that tourism sector has witnessed a huge jump.
Similarly, another landmark development that took place was the rail connectivity to Kashmir making it possible for the commuters to travel to Katra and Srinagar directly on a train.
This important dream project became a reality when Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on June 6 after visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station as part of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
The train service became an instant hit with all trains getting booked till next month and no tickets are available for people to book their travel. The train service connecting Jammu region to Kashmir has been made possible after relentless efforts of the Indian railways whose workers and executing agencies put in hard toil to get the project through.
As the rain service has become an instant hit and tickets are sold out, the chief minister Omar Abdullah had to raise a request to the rail authorities to increase the capacity as the tickets are reportedly unavailable until next month.
The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who on Friday returned to Srinagar via the Vande Bharat train from Katra, said that a request will be made to Railway Minister and the Railway Ministry to increase the capacity of trains.
