Latest news with #FarooqAbdullah
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Farooq Abdullah's Supreme Court warning to Centre over J&K statehood demand
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that his party would approach the Supreme Court if there was any further delay in the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. **EDS: SCREENSHOT VIA PTI VIDEOS** Anantnag: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Farooq Abdullah speaks to the media, at Pahalgam in Anantnag, J&K, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (PTI Photo)(PTI05_03_2025_000498A)(PTI) Abdullah told PTI after a meeting of party workers in the Kokernag area, 'After the elections, people wanted their issues to be resolved immediately, but statehood (not being restored) is stopping us. They have many demands, like they want him (National Conference MLA Altaf Kaloo) to become a minister, but how is this possible till statehood is restored?' Also Read: 'Where is he missing?': Farooq Abdullah rejects Cong's 'gayab' jibe at PM Modi "We are waiting, but if they (Centre) take a long time then we will have no option but to go to the Supreme Court," he added, stating that he was hopeful that after statehood was restored, all powers would be given back. Farooq Abdullah on Israel-Iran conflict Farooq Abdullah stated that he hoped all parties involved in the Israel-Iran conflict would see some sense and that peace would be achieved soon. "I pray that God gives both Israel as well as Iran some sense and gives (Donald) Trump some sense also so that he talks about peace and not war. The issues can only be resolved peacefully, and nothing will be achieved without peace," he said. Also Read: Farooq Abdullah's 'hua to hua' remark on Kashmiri Hindu killings sparks BJP backlash Abdullah also questioned the government regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, which occurred on April 22, when 26 people were killed. "They (Centre) said we ended militancy here, then where did they (Pahalgam attackers) come from? We have so many forces, so many drones, etc. Where did those four attackers come from?" asked Abdullah. "We have not been able to find them yet. We say that we are a powerful nation now and there is no match to us, but we cannot find those four," he said.
India Gazette
a day ago
- Business
- India Gazette
J-K: CM Abdullah requests rail minister for additional trains on Katra-Srinagar rail route to meet high demand
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 20 (ANI): In light of the overwhelming public response to the recently launched Vande Bharat train service between Katra and Srinagar, JK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has formally requested the Union Ministry of Railways to introduce additional trains on Katra-Srinagar rail route to meet high-demand. Speaking to the media during his visit to Katra, CM Omar highlighted that the newly inaugurated Vande Bharat service has witnessed full bookings since its launch, reflecting the strong demand for improved and faster connectivity between the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley. 'The Vande Bharat service has brought immense relief to commuters and boosted regional connectivity. However, the current capacity is not sufficient to meet the rising demand. I have urged the Centre to increase the frequency of trains and consider deploying additional services to cater to the growing number of passengers,' said the Chief Minister. He emphasised that enhanced rail connectivity will not only facilitate easier travel for locals and pilgrims but also act as a catalyst for tourism and economic development in the Union Territory. The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, flagged off earlier this month, has significantly reduced travel time and provided a modern, comfortable mode of transport for thousands of passengers. The government is now considering further steps to ensure that more people can benefit from the service in the coming weeks. CM Omar reiterated his commitment to improving infrastructure and public services in J&K and assured the public that all efforts are being made to strengthen the region's connectivity and economic prospects. The Vande Bharat Express operating on the newly launched Katra-Srinagar route is witnessing overwhelming demand from passengers, with bookings full for the next 10 days, according to railway authorities. Earlier last week, National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah travelled in the Vande Bharat train and paid obeisance at the Maa Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. Farooq Abdullah said that he had a 'good darshan' at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and that he prayed for prosperity and brotherhood in the region. (ANI)
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Farooq Abdullah: Restoring J&K statehood a constitutional right, not a concession - ‘to fly a kite without wind'
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah has said the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is not a concession but a constitutional right. Addressing a meeting of NC workers in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, the former chief minister called for an immediate return to full democratic authority in the region. "Restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is not a concession but a constitutional right. Statehood is not a gift, it is the people's right, long overdue and repeatedly promised by the ruling government," he said. Farooq is a three-time chief minister of the erstwhile state, a former Member of Parliament (MP) and ex-Union Minister. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government has promised the return of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. On June 6, Farooq Abdullah's son, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, raised the issue of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at the flagging off of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden train to Kashmir in Katra, the pilgrim town in Jammu. 'There are four persons on this stage who were present at the inauguration of the Katra railway station (in 2014). You had just won the election, becoming the Prime Minister for the first time. MoS in PMO Jitendra Singh was present then, and our LG Manoj Sinha sahib was MoS Railways, and I was here as chief minister of the state of Jammu and Kashmir,' Omar said while PM was on stage. "If you see, by the blessings of Mata (Vaishno Devi) Sinhaji has got a promotion (LG now) and I had a demotion. I was chief minister of a state and now I am a CM of the UT. However, I believe that it will not take long to rectify it .... Jammu and Kashmir will again get the statehood under your watch only," Omar Abdullah said. At the meeting on Wednesday, however, senior Abdullah assured party workers that the NC government in Jammu and Kashmir is prioritising these challenges. Farooq also criticised Jammu and Kashmir's union territory status as a bottleneck to real governance. "Jammu and Kashmir is vast, not just in land but in its layered culture. Governing it under the limited framework of a union territory is like trying to fly a kite without wind," he said. Governing it under the limited framework of a union territory is like trying to fly a kite without wind.
India.com
7 days ago
- India.com
Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express Sees Unprecedented Demand, Tickets Sold Out Till July 1
If you want to experience the "Switzerland experience of India" by riding Vande Bharat in Kashmir, then you will have to wait for the next 16 days, as all the trains connecting Kashmir to the country are sold out. The Vande Bharat Express train service connecting Katra to Srinagar, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, has been a grand success. The launch of the train has received an overwhelming response from the people, with all seats booked for the first ten days after the launch and now all seats are sold out till July 1. The service has been praised for its comfort, speed and scenic route, crossing engineering marvels like the world's tallest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River and India's first cable-stayed Anji Khad Bridge. Passengers, including locals and tourists like Farooq Abdullah, have expressed excitement, with many highlighting its potential to boost tourism, trade and horticulture by improving connectivity. But at the same time, people are demanding the availability of additional trains for this route so that maximum people can take advantage of the train connectivity. Aamir Ahmad, a Vande Bharat passenger, said, "The problem is that the bookings are too high and there should be more trains, there is a huge demand, you can see people are waiting for the train." The Vande Bharat for Jammu and Kashmir is designed to operate in the harsh winter conditions of Kashmir, the train has advanced heating systems, defrosting glass for visibility and seismic dampers for safety, making it a reliable all-weather transport option. It completes the 190-km journey in about three hours, reducing the travel time by two to three hours compared to the road journey, which is often disrupted by landslides and snowfall. The train runs six days a week (except Tuesdays), with two sets making four daily trips between Katra and Srinagar, stopping at Banihal. The ticket prices are Rs 715 for chair cars and Rs 1,320 for executive class, making it an affordable alternative to flights or long road trips. The service is being considered a game changer for connectivity, tourism and economic development in Jammu and Kashmir, especially for pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi and tourists visiting Kashmir to explore its natural beauty. Passengers, including locals and tourists, have praised the train for its convenience, speed and scenic route. The chair car ticket is priced at Rs 715 and the executive class ticket is priced at Rs 1,320, which is slightly different due to catering charges. These prices are considered affordable when compared to air travel or road travel. Sameer Baktoo (Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Travel Agents Chapter) This will be a big change as air fares are skyrocketing and travelling by this train will be affordable and will boost tourism. Because of the train, we will get a lot of middle-class tourists who used to come to Katra and go back from there, but now they can come and enjoy Kashmir and we hope that the number of tourists will increase because of the train.' The trains are equipped for the harsh winters of Kashmir, with heated windshields, advanced heating systems for compartments and water lines, thermally insulated bio-toilets and seismic dampers for earthquake-prone areas. Indian Railways is planning to extend the Vande Bharat service to Jammu Tawi after the completion of its redevelopment under the Amrut Bharat Yojana. Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Sleeper train scheduled for January 2026. The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, and has seen unprecedented demand, with tickets fully booked by July 1 and a waiting list of 50-60 passengers for the next trips, and there is a possibility of changing this train during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.
NDTV
11-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Hope Prayers For Peace Will Be Answered": Farooq Abdullah Visits Vaishno Devi
Jammu/Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday returned to Srinagar by the recently launched Vande Bharat Express after an overnight stay at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. "Had a great darshan and I am hopeful that all our prayers for peace, progress and brotherhood at the shrine will be answered so that we can move forward and our country also marches ahead and we become part of its development trajectory," the former chief minister told reporters on his return. The 87-year-old Abdullah took his maiden ride in the Vande Bharat Express, which connects Kashmir to the rest of the country, to reach Katra on Tuesday. He stayed at the sanctum sanctorum overnight and took part in special prayers at the shrine. He was accompanied by his grandsons Zamir and Zahid, Jammu and Kashmir minister Satish Sharma, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and several NC legislators, including chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq. Asked about his overnight stay at the shrine, Abdullah said, "I felt very happy." "I came here by train and this service is a new beginning for us. This will not only benefit the pilgrims coming to visit Mata but also prove beneficial for the pilgrims intending to visit the Amarnath cave shrine and they will also come in large numbers. This will benefit tourism in J&K," he added. Mr Abdullah said this train is a blessing for Jammu and Kashmir which will boost trade and tourism. "The journey was very good. You can see that tourists are also coming. This train is a blessing. It will increase tourism and trade. Our fruits can go outside easily and our people can now travel to any part of India comfortably. "This was a dream which I have seen become a reality in my life," the former chief minister told reporters at the Srinagar railway station. #WATCH | After darshan of Maa Vaishno Devi, former CM Farooq Abdullah reached Srinagar on the Vande Bharat train from Katra, he says, "I had a wonderful journey. Tourists are coming. This train is a great blessing. It will increase our tourism and business... Now our people can… — ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2025 Talking to PTI at the shrine late on Tuesday night, minister Sharma said Abdullah expressed his desire to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine during his visit to Mela Kheer Bhawani in Ganderbal on June 3. "We had darshan thrice after reaching this holy town (Katra), which is a great blessing for us... Abdullah walked two to three kilometres to reach the court and we prayed for J&K to get back its lost glory. J&K is India's crown and we want to reach that height again," he said. The minister said they prayed for India's progress at the global level. Mr Sharma described the trip as "historic" and said they will remember it for eternity. He said they also prayed for the victims of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and shelling by Pakistan. "They (Pakistanis) will never succeed in their nefarious designs. Terrorism is an industry but our brave forces gave them a befitting reply. They will meet the same fate in future if they try to do any mischief," the minister said. NC provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta said Abdullah's visit has sent a positive message across the country and "we are hopeful that the tourism industry, which has suffered a major setback in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, will be back on track soon". "Abdullah's overnight stay at the shrine saw an immediate increase in the footfall of pilgrims. We are hopeful that this momentum will further increase in the coming days," he said. Gupta said the team attended all the special prayers and all its members, except Abdullah, also visited Bhairon Ghati to offer prayers.
