PM Modi likely to visit JK on July 4

Inauguration of Udhampur-Katra rail link, Uri-II power project on itinerary

Prime Minister NarendraModi is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir on July 4, his first visit to the state after assuming the office. Among other programs on his itinerary, Modi is expected to inaugurate the NHPC’s 240-MW Uri-II power project. 
Highly placed sources told Greater Kashmir that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and various associated union ministries are finalizing the program of Modi’s JK visit. 
During the visit, sources revealed, Modi would fly to north Kashmir to formally throw open the Uri-II power station (4×60 MW).
A senior NHPC official, wishing anonymity, said they have been conveyed by the Union Power Ministry that Modi may visit north Kashmir to throw open the 240-MW Uri-II power station.
“But this is a tentative program as nothing has been finalized yet,” he said.
The project, second on river Jhelum in Uri town, is located downstream of 480-MW Uri-I and is operated by the NHPC. 
Modi’s predecessor, DrManmohan Singh was expected to inaugurate the project during his two-day visit to the state last year, but the program was cancelled following technical snag in the project during trial run.
According to sources, Modi is also expected to inaugurate 25- km long Udhampur-Katra railway line during his visit to Kashmir.
Pertinently, the inauguration of Udhampur-Katra rail link missed several deadlines for want of the security clearance.  However, recently safety clearance was given by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to commission the train service to Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The link has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1050 crore. The 53-km-long Jammu-Udhampur rail line is already operational and once Udhampur-Katra line is made operational, trains will be able to come up to Katra directly.