Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, where he was set to inaugurate the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar on 19 April, has reportedly been postponed, Indian Express reported.
The update was confirmed by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office.
The visit has been postponed amid a forecast of adverse weather conditions during the period, Indian Express reported citing sources.
The India Meteorological Department office in Srinagar has issued a forecast for widespread rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir starting from 18 April, with the most significant impact expected on 18 and 19 April.
In anticipation of the Prime Minister’s visit, authorities had been conducting mock drills and test runs on the 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line.
A trial run of the Vande Bharat Express on this route was successfully held on Tuesday (15 April).
Security arrangements had been intensified ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, with forces conducting combing and search operations across Jammu and Kashmir.
The entire security grid was put on maximum alert, with searches going on especially in the Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi and Ramban districts.
Two Vande Bharat Express trains, one from Srinagar to Katra and another from Katra to Srinagar, are scheduled to run on the inauguration day.
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