SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir: Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over ₹32,000 crores in Jammu. The projects relate to several sectors including health, education, rail, road, aviation, petroleum, and civic infrastructure among others.
While addressing the gathering, Modi expressed unwavering confidence in the potential of Jammu and Kashmir, vowing to fulfill the dreams of its people with the vision of ‘Viksit Jammu and Kashmir’.
“I have full faith in you and we will make ‘Viksit Jammu and Kashmir.’ Your dreams of 70 years will be fulfilled by Modi in the coming years,” he said.
Highlighting the progress, Modi remarked, ““Earlier, only disappointing news of bombs, kidnappings and separation used to come from Jammu and Kashmir, but now it is developing and moving forward.”
Modi further inaugurated key railway projects worth over ₹16,000 crore. These included a 48.1 kilometres (kms) portion of the new rail line under Udhampur – Srinagar – Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL). The Banihal – Khari – Sumber – Sangaldan section worth ₹15,863 crore and includes the country’s longest railway tunnel spanning 12.77 kms.
A total of 220 projects, amounting to ₹32,000 crores, underwent the laying of the foundation stone, inauguration, and dedication to the nation by PM Modi.
An official statement said these projects will bring all-weather transport, replacing unreliable mountainous roads and footpaths.
PM also flagged off the first electric train in the valley from Baramulla station. The inaugural run of the service is from the Srinagar station. Another service between Sangaldan and Baramulla station was also started.
This was made possible by electrification of the 185.66 route kilometre (RKM) Baramulla – Srinagar – Banihal – Sangaldan section costing ₹470.23 crore.
USRBL project spreads over 272 kms and worth ₹41,119 crore. It is sub-divided into four legs for focused execution, of which three were completed by 2014. Work is presently underway only on the 111 kms Katra – Banihal section.
Modi stated that the primary obstacle to the development of Jammu and Kashmir was the now-abolished Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
“Because of the abrogation of Article 370, I have asked people to help BJP win 370 seats and NDA win 400 seats in elections,” he said.