New Delhi. Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw along with Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, Jammu & Kashmir; Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister, Assam; Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, Chief Minister, Tripura flagged off Train No. 15617/15618 Dullabcherra – Guwahati tri weekly train, Train No. 07688/07687 Agartala- Sabroom DEMU train, extension of train no. 12514/12515 Guwahati-Secunderabad Express upto Silchar (Assam), extension of Train No 12519/12520 Kamakhya-Lokmanya Tilak Express up to Agartala (Tripura) via video conferencing today. New Vistadome coach in Budgam-Banihal train in Jammu and Kashmir was also flagged off. During the flag off ceremony, several dignitaries were connected through video conferencing.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “In last nine years, North East states and Jammu Kashmir have changed a lot and the change is discernible on the ground. Prime Minister has visited North East region more than 60 times which is higher than the visits of Prime Ministers before him. After abrogation of Article 370, development of Jammu and Kashmir is pacing fast. Recently, meetings of G20 were held in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In Railways also, various development projects have been ongoing in both these regions. Railways have allotted the annual budget of around Rs. 10,269 Crores for North East, while earlier it was around Rs 2122 Crores. Railways’ projects are progressing swiftly in North eastern states. Two Vande Bharat Trains are also planned for North East. In Jammu & Kashmir, development work has been completed on Chenab Bridge, Anji Bridge, tunnels have been completed except on some portion. Railways are working for overall transformation of North eastern states.”
The launch of Vistadome coach in Train No 04688/04687 Budgam- Banihal train will boost tourism in the state and provide memorable journey experiences to the passengers.