File Photo: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday said the Indian Railways will play its role in promoting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir even as state Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed demanded 'Palace on Wheels' to meet this purpose.
"We will do whatever we can do within our limits to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir," Mr Prabhu said here.
He was speaking at a function held to flag off four new trains between Baramulla in north Kashmir to Banihal on the other side of Pir Panjal mountain range.
Mr Prabhu said IRCTC of the railways can work out an arrangement with the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation for promoting tourism in the state.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, "We should have a Palace on Wheels like Rajasthan ... they have done well (in promoting tourism on train). We can have stops for the tourists at various places," he said.
The four new trains have been started with the aim of easing the heavy rush of passengers on the existing trains between Srinagar and Baramulla and Srinagar and Banihal.
On the delay in Katra-Banihal link of the prestigious 'Rail to Kashmir' project started during the tenure of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prabhu said the Indian Railways will expedite the work in order to connect the valley with rest of the country through trains at the earliest.
"Dilli say mila hi dengay lekin dil bhi milnay chahiyay (We will connect Kashmir to Delhi but we want the hearts to connect too)," he said.