Rahul Sahai Calls for Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Service and Urgent Industrial Package Renewal

Jammu, 07-01-2025: Rahul Sahai, Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Jammu, recently met Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan Jammu, presenting two critical proposals aimed at strengthening the economic framework of Jammu and Kashmir. Sahai passionately advocated for initiating the Vande Bharat Express train service from Jammu to Srinagar instead of its current route from Katra. Additionally, he urged the Hon’ble LG to take up the extension of the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS) industrial package with the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Home Minister, emphasizing the need to integrate at least 40% local participation in the scheme.

In his representation, Sahai underscored the transformative potential of these initiatives in driving economic growth and fostering regional integration within Jammu and Kashmir. He argued that enhanced connectivity and sustained industrial support are crucial for addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by the Union Territory and positioning it as a robust economic player on the national map.

Rahul Sahai highlighted the strategic and economic imperatives of commencing the Vande Bharat Express service from Jammu, rather than Katra, to Srinagar. He detailed the manifold benefits of such a decision, emphasizing its broader impact on the region’s economy and development.

 Jammu serves as a key distribution hub for goods destined for the Kashmir Valley. Establishing a direct and efficient rail link from Jammu to Srinagar would streamline the transportation of goods, reducing transit times and costs. This, Sahai argued, would stimulate trade activity, enabling businesses to thrive and contributing significantly to the region’s economic growth.

 By starting the Vande Bharat service from Jammu, the route would cater to a more extensive demographic, including traders, tourists, and daily commuters. This would not only increase ridership but also provide a faster, more reliable travel option for those conducting business or exploring tourism opportunities in the Kashmir Valley.

 Sahai emphasized that improved connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar would help bridge the developmental divide between the two regions. He stated that such a move would reinforce Jammu’s role as an economic anchor while fostering balanced growth and unity within the Union Territory.

Expressing concern over the potential conclusion of the NCSS industrial package, Sahai articulated its significance for sustaining the industrial ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed the necessity of extending the package to ensure uninterrupted industrial growth, job creation, and economic stability in the region.

Sahai recommended that at least 40% of the benefits under the industrial package be directed towards the local population. This, he explained, would not only address unemployment but also empower communities by integrating them into the larger economic framework.

The NCSS package has played a pivotal role in attracting investments and fostering entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir. Allowing the scheme to lapse, Sahai warned, could disrupt the region’s industrial momentum, discouraging prospective investors and adversely affecting existing businesses.

Urging the Hon’ble LG to champion the extension of the package, Sahai requested the matter be escalated to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Home Minister. He highlighted the scheme’s broader implications for national integration, stating that sustained industrial growth in Jammu and Kashmir is vital for fostering socio-economic stability and progress.

Rahul Sahai’s proposals reflect a clear vision for leveraging infrastructure and policy to unlock Jammu and Kashmir’s economic potential. By prioritizing connectivity through the Vande Bharat Express and advocating for sustained industrial support, Sahai’s initiatives aim to create a more inclusive, vibrant, and resilient economy for the Union Territory.