Muzaffar Khan
At the time of the partition of India and the political integration of India, Hari Singh, the ruler of the state delayed making a decision about the future of his state. However, an insurgency in the western districts of the state and a subsequent invasion by invaders from the neighboring North-West Frontier Province, which was supported by Pakistan. On 26 October 1947, Hari Singh acceded to India in return for Indian troops being sent to Kashmir to counter the Pakistan-backed invaders. The western and northern districts, now known as Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, came under Pakistani control, while the rest remained under Indian control, now known to the world as Jammu and Kashmir.
It is seen that India invested a lot of investment in various sectors of Jammu and Kashmir from 1947 till today, but unfortunately due to corrupt politicians in Jammu and Kashmir, that major part of investment went into the pockets of these politicians instead of being invested in the development of Jammu and Kashmir. Which created obstacles in the development paths of the state. Then in August 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated and Jammu Kashmir was directly administered by Delhi, there were hopes of opening the development paths in Jammu Kashmir. It is a matter of pride in itself to have the G20 conference in Jammu and Kashmir.
Accordingly, the Indian Railways is all set to achieve a remarkable feat in connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, as the work on the Udhampur-Baramulla Rail Link Project is nearing completion, bringing Kashmir’s first ever The path of the train running in between has been paved two regions of the Union Territory.
According to officials, the 272 km long Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL) is in advanced stage and more than 95% of the work has been completed so far. The travel time between Srinagar and Jammu will be reduced from 6 hours to 3.5 hours, making it easier for passengers. Also, the rail will connect Jammu and Kashmir to the rest of India. It is a matter of pride for the people of jammu and kashmir.
The project will also boost the economy as goods will be transported by train. Transportation of horticultural commodities like apples and other agricultural products from Jammu and Kashmir will be facilitated.
The USBRL alignment required the construction of numerous tunnels and bridges over extremely difficult and mountainous terrain, characterized by complex and demanding Himalayan geological conditions.
Vinod Kumar, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Northern Railway said that this project will be completed on the scheduled date i.e. December 2023 or January 2024.
Now the rail line from Srinagar to Kashmir is being inaugurated in February 2025.
Where this rail project will benefit the economy of the valley, it will benefit the unemployed youth. Ways of employment will be opened.
On the other hand, across the border in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, there are no paved roads. once when I visited Pakistan-administered Kashmir, there was a lack of development. You could see dirt roads everywhere. Only in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, the roads are showing as paved, the rest of Pakistan administered Kashmir has unpaved roads. There is no name and sign of the railway far and wide. There is no concept of air services even here. If you compare Pakistan administered Kashmir and J&K, J&K is a hundred years ahead of Kashmir in development . The people there are angry with the government. Every day they are seen protesting on the streets. The pages of newspapers are filled with protests. Recently, lakhs of people came out on the streets in protest against electricity bills and thousands were arrested. People ofPakistan administeted Kashmir are also continuing their struggle to get into this Jammu and Kashmir.
Development is showing progress everywhere in Jammu Kashmir. It is clear that before 2019, due to the bribery of politicians, there were obstacles in the development of Jammu Kashmir. But now the development is showing. Signs of progress are evident in every village and town. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are hopeful that they will get rid of these corrupt politicians who have exploited the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their own interests. It is hoped that the Indian government will also take up new projects for the further development and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir. so that the people of Jammu and Kashmir can lead a prosperous life and unemployment can also be eliminated from Jammu and Kashmir.
