KATRA, June 7 -- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today hailed the rail-link of Kashmir with the rest of the country as a "historic accomplishment," stating that the development will boost tourism, trade, and bring comfort in the daily lives of people of Jammu & Kashmir.

The Chief Minister was addressing a large gathering at Katra during the inauguration of the Chenab and Anji Bridges and at the flagging off ceremony of the Vande Bharat Train to Kashmir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This marks Kashmir's first all-weather railway connectivity with the rest of India.

Also present on the occasion were Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union MoS PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh, and other dignitaries.

"The be...