PM inaugurates; lays foundation stone for 220 development projects of over Rs 32,000 Cr in J&K
Jammu, Feb 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday reiterated that Bharatiya Janata Party-led government “dismantled the wall of Article 370 and paved the way for new J&K, witnessing balanced development- with focus on the poor, farmers, youth and women.”
“This (abrogation of Article 370) has emboldened me to seek 370 seats from the countrymen (in the ensuing general elections) for BJP and over 400 seats for NDA. We will ensure that no part of J&K lags behind. We will march forward together. Those,
who had been living a life of deprivation for decades, could themselves see and experience a government dedicated to their cause. Youth here have sounded a bugle against dynastic rule, corruption and appeasement. That is why animated spirits have replaced the eerie silence of Bandhs and Hartals,” he said.
PM Modi was addressing a massive gathering at M A Stadium, after inaugurating and laying foundation stone for 220 development projects of over Rs 32,000 Cr in J&K, during his maiden visit to Jammu as well as J&K in the election year.
The projects related to several key sectors including health, education, rail, road, aviation, petroleum, and civic infrastructure among others.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha; Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh; MP Jugal Kishore Sharma and MP (in Rajya Sabha) Gulam Ali Khatana shared the dais with the Prime Minister.
Referring to his recent visit to Gulf countries, the Prime Minister stated that there was great positivity there for investment in J&K. “The whole world was keenly watching the new developing J&K,” he said. The Prime Minister asserted that maintaining this tempo of development in the next five years, the valleys of Kashmir would witness a major infra push making people to forget Switzerland.
CHANGING J&K
How his government was bringing positive changes in J&K, explaining this, PM Modi said, “Those were the days when only the news spreading despondency would emanate from J&K. Such a situation was created (by the dynastic regimes) that J&K, unfortunately, used to be identified with bomb-guns, kidnapping, separatism and related negative developments. But now J&K is confidently marching forward with a resolve to touch new heights of development. This is evident as the inauguration and foundation laying ceremony of development projects of over Rs 32,000 Cr have taken place today.”
Taking a dig at the previous regimes for pursuing “dynastic politics in J&K at the cost of people”, he said, “J&K has been a victim of dynastic politics for decades. They (dynasts) only worked to serve their interests and never bothered about the welfare of people. This dynastic politics mainly damages the interests of our youth. Those governments, which work only to further the interests of one family, never mind putting the future of other youth at stake. Such governments will never give priority to make policies for youth. For them, their family’s interests reign supreme and not that of your family. I’m happy that J&K has got freedom from such dynastic politics.”
Post Article 370, weaker sections of society got their due as envisioned in the Indian Constitution promising social justice. “Refugees, Valmikis, Safai Karamcharis – they all have got their democratic rights. Valmikis were granted SC category; Paddari, Paharis, Kolis, Gadda Brahmans got ST status. Scheduled Tribes have got reservation in state assembly while OBCs have been granted reservation in Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Gujjars, women too got their due share after seven decades. ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas Aur Sabka Prayas’ Mantra is the foundation of developed J&K. Modi’s guarantee is to fulfil every individual’s dreams,” the Prime Minister said.
While referring to Article 370, the Prime Minister also mentioned an upcoming movie on the topic. “Have heard a movie related to Article 370 is getting released this week. I know nothing about it. But it (initiative) is good as it will help people get information in the right perspective,” he said.
He lauded the spirit of people of Jammu who had come out in large numbers despite inclement weather conditions.
“Lakhs of people from educational institutions from all around the country are attending this programme. I’ve been informed that the programme is being witnessed by citizens in 285 blocks in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
MODI’S GUARANTEE BEING FULFILLED
The Prime Minister said that the projects worth Rs 32,000 Cr would give a boost to education, skill, jobs, health, industry and connectivity. He congratulated the youth of the nation for IIM, IIT and appointment letters.
He noted that Jammu and Kashmir was fast becoming a major hub of education and skill development. The Prime Minister recalled giving a guarantee in 2013 at the same venue about creating IIT and IIM in Jammu and Kashmir. “That guarantee is being fulfilled today. That is why people say ‘Modi’s guarantee means guarantee of fulfillment of the guarantee’,” he added.
Listing the educational infrastructure projects of today’s event, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the advancement of education and skill development sectors on such a scale was a distant reality ten years ago. “But, this is new India”, the Prime Minister said, highlighting that the government made maximum expenditure on the modern education of the present and future generations.
In the last 10 years, the country witnessed a record number of schools, colleges and universities including 50 new degree colleges in Jammu and Kashmir, he said. He added that 45,000 children, who did not attend schools, were getting admissions and expressed delight that major beneficiaries were girl students as they needed not to travel far for education.
IMPROVING HEALTH FACILITIES IN J&K
Dwelling on the improving health facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister informed that number of medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir had risen to 12 today from 4 in 2014, more than 1300 MBBS seats as opposed to 500 in 2014, and more than 650 PG medical seats as opposed to none in 2014. He also informed about the establishment of 45 nursing and paramedic colleges in the last 4 years. “Two AIIMS are coming up in Jammu and Kashmir out of which Jammu AIIMS has been inaugurated today. In the last 10 years, 15 new AIIMS have been sanctioned in the country,” he said.
He lamented the neglect shown by the previous governments towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir as well as the defence personnel. The Prime Minister pointed out that the current government fulfilled the long pending demand for One Rank One Pension giving benefits to ex-servicemen including those from the region.
He highlighted that women were benefitted the most due to the development work taking place in Jammu and Kashmir and mentioned pucca houses under the PM Awas Yojna being registered under the women, construction of toilets under Har Ghar Jal scheme and distribution of Ayushman Cards. “Abrogation of Article 370 gifted those rights to women which they were deprived of earlier,” he added.
The Prime Minister touched upon the NaMo Drone Didi scheme where women in large numbers were being trained to become drone pilots. The Prime Minister informed that the government had decided to provide drones worth lakhs of rupees to thousands of self-help groups to assist in farming and gardening. He said that the work of spraying fertilizers or pesticides would become much easier while also creating extra income for them.
ENHANCING CONNECTIVITY
Underlining that development works were taking place simultaneously in the entire country today, the Prime Minister mentioned the increased connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir. He mentioned the expansion work of Jammu Airport, connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari by rail, and the flagging off of trains running from Srinagar to Sangaldan and Sangaldan to Baramulla.
“The day is not far when people will be able to travel across the country by taking a train from Kashmir,” he said. Speaking about the huge campaign of electrification of railways underway in the country, the Prime Minister congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir on getting the first electric train today.
Referring to modern trains like Vande Bharat the Prime Minister said Jammu Kashmir was selected among the initial routes of the trains. He said, “Two Vande Bharat trains are running in Jammu and Kashmir and access to Mata Vaishno Devi has improved.”
PM Modi listed the road projects in the region. Among today’s projects, he mentioned the second phase of the Srinagar Ring Road which would improve access to Manasbal Lake and Kheer Bhawani temple. “Similarly, the Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri highway will benefit farmers and tourism. Delhi Amritsar Katra Expressway will make it easy to travel between Jammu and Delhi,” he said.
J&K ENAMOURING WORLD POST G20
PM Modi also touched upon the G20 meetings organized in Jammu and Kashmir and said that the entire world was enchanted by its (J&K’s) natural beauty. He informed that Jammu and Kashmir recorded more than 2 crore visitors last year while the number of pilgrims visiting Amarnath ji and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi reached the highest in the last decade. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the number of tourists was only going to increase considering the fast-paced development of infrastructure.
WILL MAKE INDIA THIRD LARGEST ECONOMY
Mentioning India’s entry into the top 5 global economies, the Prime Minister acknowledged the growing capacity of the government to spend on welfare schemes due to the improving economy. He said that India could provide free ration, medical treatment, pucca houses, gas connections, toilets and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi due to an improved economy.
“Now we have to make India the third largest economic power in the world in the next 5 years. This will increase the country's ability to spend on poor welfare and infrastructure. Every family of Jammu and Kashmir will benefit from this,” the Prime Minister concluded.
MAJOR BOOST TO EDUCATION SECTOR IN J&K
In a significant step towards upgrading and developing education and skilling infrastructure across the country, the Prime Minister inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of several projects worth about Rs 13,375 crores.
The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation permanent campus of IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IISER Tirupati, IIITDM Kurnool; academic and residential complex in IIT Patna and IIT Ropar; two permanent campuses of Central Sanskrit University - at Devprayag (Uttarakhand) and Agartala (Tripura). The Prime Minister inaugurated permanent campuses of IIM Visakhapatnam, IIM Jammu and IIM Bodh Gaya. He also inaugurated Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) - a pioneer skill training institute on advanced technologies in Kanpur.
The Prime Minister inaugurated and dedicated to the nation, improved infrastructure like hostels, academic blocs, administrative buildings, libraries, auditoriums etc in multiple higher educational institutes across the country like IIT Jammu, NIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, NIT Durgapur, IISER Berhampur, NIT Arunachal Pradesh, IIIT Lucknow, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, Central University of Kerala Kasaragod, among others.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of multiple projects for upgrading the infrastructure in several higher educational institutes across the country. These projects include the construction of the permanent campus of Sindhu Central University and IIT Raichur; the construction of academic block, hostel, faculty quarter etc in IIT Bombay; construction of Hostel and Staff Quarter in IIT Gandhinagar, construction of Girls' hostel in BHU, among others.
AIIMS JAMMU
In a step that will provide comprehensive, quality and holistic tertiary care health services to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister inaugurated All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Vijaypur (Samba), Jammu. The institute, whose foundational stone was also laid by the Prime Minister in February 2019, is being established under the Central sector scheme Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.
Established at a cost of over Rs 1660 Cr and in an area spanning over 227 acres, the hospital is equipped with facilities like 720 beds, Medical College with 125 seats, Nursing College with 60 seats, AYUSH Block with 30 beds, residential accommodation for faculty and staff, hostel accommodation for UG and PG students, Night Shelter, Guest House, Auditorium, Shopping Complex etc. The state-of-the-art hospital will provide high-quality patient care services in 18 Specialities and 17 Super Specialities including Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Urology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Endocrinology, Burns & Plastic Surgery. The Institute will have an Intensive Care Unit, Emergency & Trauma Unit, 20 Modular Operation Theatres, Diagnostic Laboratories, Blood Bank, Pharmacy etc. The Hospital will also leverage Digital Health Infrastructure to reach out to far-flung areas of the region.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jammu at Vijaypur in Samba district is to be made operational from March 1 with initiation of OPD services in about 50 specialties.
NEW TERMINAL BUILDING AT JAMMU AIRPORT
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a new terminal building at Jammu Airport. To be spread over a 40,000 sqm area, the new terminal building will be equipped with modern facilities catering to about 2000 passengers during peak hours. The new terminal building will be environment friendly and will be built such that it showcases the local culture of the region. It will strengthen air connectivity, boost tourism and trade and accelerate economic growth of the region.
RAIL PROJECTS
The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation various rail projects in Jammu & Kashmir including the new rail line between Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan (48 Km) and the newly electrified Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section (185.66 Km). The Prime Minister also flagged off the first Electric Train in the valley and also train service between Sangaldan station & Baramulla station.
The commissioning of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section is significant as it features the usage of Ballast Less Track (BLT) all along the route providing a better riding experience to the passengers. Also, India’s longest transportation tunnel T-50 (12.77 Km) lies in this portion between Khari-Sumber. The rail projects will improve connectivity, ensure environmental sustainability and boost the overall economic development of the region.
ROAD PROJECTS
During the programme, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of important road projects including two packages (44.22 KM) of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway connecting Jammu to Katra; Phase two for four-laning of Srinagar Ring Road; five packages for upgrading the 161 km long Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri stretch of NH-01; and the construction of Kulgam Bypass & Pulwama bypass on NH-444.
The two packages of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, once completed will facilitate the visit of pilgrims to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, and will also boost economic development in the region; Phase two for four-laning of Srinagar Ring Road involves upgrading the existing Sumbal-Wayul NH-1. This brownfield project of length 24.7 km, will reduce the traffic congestion in and around Srinagar city. It will improve connectivity to popular tourist destinations like Manasbal Lake and Kheer Bhawani Temple, and also reduce travel time to Leh, Ladakh; The project for the upgradation of 161 km long Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri stretch of NH-01, is of strategic importance. It will also boost the economic development of Baramulla & Uri; Kulgam Bypass & Pulwama bypass on NH-444 connecting Qazigund - Kulgam - Shopian - Pulwama - Badgam - Srinagar will also boost road infrastructure in the region.
CUF PETROLEUM DEPOT
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for a project to develop CUF (Common User Facility) Petroleum depot at Jammu. The state-of-the-art fully automated depot which will be developed at a cost of about Rs 677 crore, will have a storage capacity of about 100000 KL for storing Motor Spirit (MS), High Speed Diesel (HSD), Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO), Aviation Turbine fuel (ATF), Ethanol, Biodiesel and winter grade HSD.
OTHER PROJECTS
The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth more than Rs 3150 Cr for strengthening the civic infrastructure and provisioning of public facilities across Jammu and Kashmir. The projects being inaugurated by the Prime Minister include road projects & bridges; grid stations, receiving stations transmission line Projects; Common Effluent Treatment Plants and Sewage Treatment Plants; several Degree College buildings; Intelligent Traffic Management system in Srinagar city; Modern Narwal Fruit Mandi; Drug Testing Laboratory at Kathua; and Transit accommodation - 224 flats at Ganderbal and Kupwara. The projects whose foundation stones are being laid include development of five new Industrial Estates across Jammu and Kashmir; the Data Centre/ Disaster Recovery Centre for Integrated Command and Control Centre of Jammu Smart City; Up-gradation of Transport Nagar at Parimpora Srinagar; Up-gradation of 62 road projects and 42 bridges and project for development of transit accommodation - 2816 flats at nine locations in districts Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Shopian & Pulwama, among others.
Earlier, the Prime Minister reached here this morning. He was received at the Technical Airport by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha joined by the Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Advisor to LG R K Bhatnagar and DGP R R Swain. PM Modi reached the venue at around 11.48 am amid loud cheers by the enthusiastic crowd.
At the rally venue, he was felicitated by the Lieutenant Governor. Maintaining his tradition, the Prime Minister struck a chord with the crowd by commencing his address with a few lines in Dogri and reciting Dogri poetess Padma Sachdev’s “Mitthri Hai Dogrey Di Boli…” evoking overwhelming response from the crowd.
