'Sparkling Kashmir must for shining India'

Sonamarg, Jan 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said that Kashmir – the crown of the country - must sparkle for fulfilling the dream of a developed India as Kashmir’s development was central to India’s future.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Sonamarg Tunnel in Sonamarg area of Ganderbal district, the PM said, “The dream of a developed India will be realised when its crown, Kashmir, is adorned with the jewels of progress.”

He expressed his desire for Kashmir to become even more beautiful and prosperous.

PM Modi thanked the labourers who had worked hard and put their lives at stake for the development of J&K and India.

“Despite the challenges, our resolve did not waver,” he said and lauded the labourers for their resolve and commitment and for tackling all the obstacles to complete the work.

The PM also condoled the demise of seven labourers who worked on the construction of the tunnel.

Hailing the beautiful snow-covered mountains and the delightful weather, he said that his eagerness to visit J&K increased after seeing the recent pictures shared by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on social media.

He reminisced about his earlier days when he frequently visited the region while working for his party.

PM Modi mentioned spending considerable time in areas like Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Ganderbal, and Baramulla, often walking for hours and covering several kilometers.

He said that despite the heavy snowfall, the warmth of the people of J&K made the cold unnoticeable.

The PM acknowledged the challenging 40-day period of Chillai Kalan in Kashmir and praised the resilience of the people.

He said that this season brings new opportunities for tourist destinations like Sonamarg, attracting visitors from across the country who enjoy the hospitality of the people of Kashmir.

PM Modi announced a significant gift for the people, highlighting the recent foundation stone laying of the Jammu Rail Division.

He said that this was a long-standing demand of the people.

Announcing the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel and fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people of J&K and Ladakh, the PM highlighted that this tunnel will significantly ease the lives of people in Sonamarg, Kargil, and Leh.

He said that the tunnel would reduce the difficulties faced during avalanches, heavy snowfall, and landslides, which often led to road closures.

PM Modi emphasised that the tunnel would improve access to major hospitals and ensure the availability of essential supplies, reducing the challenges faced by the residents.

He said that the actual construction of the Sonamarg Tunnel began in 2015 after their government came to power.

The PM expressed pleasure that the tunnel’s construction was completed under their administration.

He said that the tunnel would maintain connectivity to Sonamarg during the winter season and boost tourism in the entire region.

PM Modi said that numerous road and rail connectivity projects were set to be completed in J&K in the coming days.

He talked about another major connectivity project underway nearby and noted the excitement surrounding the upcoming rail connection to Kashmir.

The PM highlighted the development of new roads, railways, hospitals, and colleges as part of the new J&K.

He extended his heartfelt congratulations to everyone for the tunnel and the new era of development.

Highlighting India’s progress towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, emphasising that no region or family should be left behind, PM Modi said that the government was working with the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ and over the past 10 years, more than 4 crore poor families across the country, including J&K, had received permanent houses.

He announced that an additional 3 crore new houses would be provided to the poor in the coming years.

The PM said that millions of people in India were receiving free medical treatment, benefiting the people of J&K as well.

He highlighted the establishment of new IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, medical colleges, nursing colleges, and polytechnic colleges across the country to support the education of the youth.

PM Modi said that in J&K several top-notch educational institutes were established in the past decade, greatly benefiting the local youth.

Emphasising the extensive infrastructure development from J&K to Arunachal Pradesh, he said that J&K was becoming a hub of tunnels, high bridges, and ropeways, with some of the world’s highest tunnels and highest rail-road bridges being constructed here.

The PM noted the engineering marvel of the Chenab Bridge, where a passenger train trial was recently completed.

He mentioned several key projects, including the cable bridge enhancing Kashmir’s railway connectivity, the Zojila, Chenani Nashri, and Sonamarg tunnel projects, and the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project.

PM Modi also mentioned the schemes for the Shankaracharya Temple, Shivkhori, and Baltal Amarnath ropeways, as well as the Katra-Delhi expressway.

He emphasised that over Rs 42,000 crore worth of road connectivity projects were underway in J&K, including four national highway projects and two ring roads.

The PM said that more than 14 tunnels like Sonamarg were being constructed, making J&K one of the most connected regions in the country.

Underlining the significant contribution of the tourism sector to India's journey towards becoming a developed nation, he said that improved connectivity would allow tourists to reach previously untouched and unexplored areas of J&K.

PM Modi said that peace and progress achieved in the region over the past decade had already benefited the tourism sector.

“In 2024, more than 2 crore tourists visited J&K, with Sonamarg seeing a six-fold increase in tourists over the past 10 years,” he said.

The PM emphasised that this growth had benefited local businesses, including hotels, homestays, dhabas, clothing shops, and taxi services.

“J&K of the 21st century is scripting a new chapter of development,” he said.

PM Modi said that the region was regaining its identity as ‘Paradise on Earth,’ leaving behind the difficult days of the past.

He said that people now enjoy ice cream at Lal Chowk even at night, and the area remains lively.

The PM praised the local artists for transforming Polo View Market into a new habitat center, with musicians, artists, and singers frequently performing there.

He said that people in Srinagar now comfortably watch movies with their families in cinema halls and shop with ease.

PM Modi said that such significant changes cannot be achieved by the government alone and credited the people of J&K for strengthening democracy and securing their future.

Highlighting the bright future for the youth of J&K and emphasising the numerous opportunities in sports, he talked about the first international marathon held in Srinagar a few months ago, which brought immense joy to those who witnessed it.

The PM also recalled the viral video of the CM participating in the marathon and their enthusiastic discussion about it during a meeting in Delhi.

Acknowledging that it was truly the new era of J&K, he talked about that the recent international cricket league held in the region after 40 years and car racing scenes around the Dal Lake.

PM Modi said that Gulmarg was becoming the winter games capital of India, having hosted four Khelo India Winter Games, with the fifth edition starting next month.

He said that over the past two years, 2500 athletes from across the country had participated in various sports tournaments in J&K.

The PM highlighted the establishment of over 90 Khelo India Centers in the region, providing training to 4500 local youth.

Touching upon the new opportunities emerging for the youth of J&K, he said that the construction of AIIMS in Jammu and Awantipora was progressing rapidly, reducing the need to travel to other parts of the country for medical treatment.

PM Modi said that IIT, IIM, and Central University campuses in Jammu were providing excellent education.

He emphasised the role of local artisans and craftsmen, supported by the PM Vishwakarma scheme and other initiatives by the J&K government.

The PM highlighted the continuous efforts to attract new industries to the region, with investments of around Rs 13,000 crore, creating thousands of jobs for the youth.

He also lauded the improved performance of the J&K Bank, with its business growing from Rs 1.6 lakh crore to Rs 2.3 lakh crore in the past four years.

PM Modi said that the bank’s increased capacity to provide loans benefits the youth, farmers, orchardists, shopkeepers, and entrepreneurs in the region.

He sought continuous support from the youth, elders, and children of the region in this endeavour.

The PM emphasised that the people of J&K were working diligently to turn their dreams into reality, contributing to the progress of the region and the nation.

He assured the people that he would support them unflinchingly in all their endeavours and extended his heartfelt congratulations to every family in J&K for the development projects.

PM Modi also met the construction workers who had worked meticulously in the harshest conditions, acknowledging their contribution to this engineering feat.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Union Ministers of State Jitendra Singh and Ajay Tamta were also present at the event.