SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, and Science and Technology, Satish Sharma, on Saturday strongly pitched for rail connectivity to the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch during a meeting with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, describing the proposed corridor as a long-pending developmental necessity of strategic and economic importance.
During the meeting, Sharma urged the Centre to prioritise the proposed Jammu–Akhnoor–Dori Dager–Sunderbani–Nowshera–Rajouri–Poonch rail corridor and called for revival of the earlier survey conducted for the alignment, followed by its early execution.
He said Rajouri and Poonch remain among the few major regions in the country without rail connectivity despite their strategic significance and sizeable population.
Highlighting frequent disruptions caused by adverse weather and difficult terrain, Sharma said rail connectivity would provide a reliable all-weather transport network, improving movement of people, essential supplies and emergency services in the twin border districts.
The Minister also stressed the project’s national security significance, stating that improved connectivity would enhance logistical capabilities and facilitate quicker movement of personnel and resources whenever required.
He said the rail corridor would open new opportunities for tourism, trade, industry and employment generation, helping integrate the border districts more closely with the national economy.
Sharma urged the Railway Ministry to commission a fresh feasibility study, declare the project a national priority and make budgetary provisions for its implementation. He assured full cooperation from the Jammu and Kashmir government in survey work, land acquisition and administrative clearances.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured that the concerns and demands raised during the meeting would be examined sympathetically.
Besides railway connectivity, Sharma also sought enhanced central support for Jammu and Kashmir’s digital transformation, including establishment of IT parks, incubation centres and digital skill development hubs.
He called for greater collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, e-governance and digital service delivery, while stressing the need to expand digital infrastructure in remote and border areas to ensure seamless access to internet-based services.
