"PM never acknowledges continuity in governance": Jairam Ramesh takes dig at PM Modi over USBRL

New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Friday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the latter "never acknowledged continuity in governance because he is perennially searching for self-glorification and self-publicity".
The Congress MP said that the BrahMos missile and the Udampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway projects are examples of continuity in governance.
"The Prime Minister never acknowledges continuity in governance because he is perennially searching for self-glorification and self-publicity... The BrahMos missile is also an example of continuity in governance," the Congress Rajya Sabha MP told ANI.
The Congress MP claimed that the project was sanctioned in March 1995 when PV Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister, adding that all contracts for the Chenab Bridge were awarded in 2005.
"The Udampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway project was sanctioned in March 1995 when PV Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister. In March 2002, Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared it a national project when he was the Prime Minister... All contracts for the Chenab Bridge were awarded in 2005," Ramesh said.
Pointing out the contribution of different Prime Ministers in the project, he said, "While today is an important day for the people of J&K and the Indian railways, governance in continuity has to be recognised. It is a collective achievement of the last 30 years... Successive Prime Ministers have worked to make these projects a reality, he added.
Meanwhile, an air of enthusiasm was seen in schoolchildren of Katra on Friday as they awaited Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The 272 km long project is built at Rs 43,780 crore and includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges.
In line with his commitment to boost rail infrastructure and connectivity in the region, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Chenab bridge and visit the bridge deck. Thereafter, he will visit and inaugurate the Anji bridge. He will also flag off Vande Bharat Trains. Thereafter, he will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra.
The architectural marvel Chenab Rail Bridge, situated at a height of 359 meters above the river, is the world's highest railway arch bridge. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions. A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. Through the Vande Bharat train moving on the bridge, it will take just about 3 hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing the existing travel time by 2-3 hours.
The Anji Bridge is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge that will serve the nation in a challenging terrain.
The Prime Minister will also dedicate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation. The 272 km long USBRL project, constructed at a cost of around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration.
Prime Minister will also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back. They will offer a swift, comfortable, and reliable travel option for residents, tourists, and pilgrims, among others. (ANI)