Mudassir Kuloo
Srinagar, Feb 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that his government would “break the backbone of militancy” and eradicate it from the Valley.
Addressing a gathering at SKICC Srinagar after laying the foundation stone of various developmental projects, the Prime Minister said, “We will deal militancy in a befitting way. We will break the back of militancy and fight it with all our might. The militancy will be dealt strictly. We also conducted surgical strikes against militants.”
Hitting at gunmen over killings in the Valley, he said, “Those who kill dream of others are cowards but those who protect lives are real heroes.”
The Prime Minister also paid tributes to Nazir Ahmad Wani, who was last year killed in an encounter at Tral and was awarded Ashoka Chakra posthumously on January 26. “ Nazir including all other brave soldiers who sacrificed themselves to protect the nation and maintain peace are real heroes. Youth like him show the youth of J&K and the entire country to live for the nation,” he said.
Apparently referring to militants and separatists, the Prime Minister said, “Despite negativity and threats, people rushed to polling booths in recently panchayat and urban local bodies elections.”
Modi also spoke about former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s dreams about Jammu and Kashmir.“I must re-assure you that the dream of Vajpayeeji for J&K will be realized and we are committed to realize that dream. It is under that spirit of Kashmiriyat that displaced Kashmir Pandits will be rehabilitated by setting up transit accommodations,” he said.
Speaking in Kashmiri at the start of his speech, Modi said it was cold in Srinagar and the night temperature could drop below the freezing point. “I have come to light the fires of warmth and affection in this biting cold.”
He said that Kashmir is the land of saints and “we have to relive its glory”.
Modi who had digital interaction with college students from across the country said, “There are two realities today which make us proud. India is the fastest growing large economy in the world and, according to studies, India is also reducing poverty at the fastest pace in the world.”“Srinagar has hosted an educational interaction today that would in the past take place only in New Delhi. We have launched all landmark programmes like this from far off places in the country. There are many projects which were lingering for years have been completed,” he said.
He said that India has become the third biggest start-up country after the US and China. “When youths get top class institutions near their homes, they can excel better and realize their dreams.”
Modi congratulated the people for making Jammu and Kashmir for open defecation free since September.“J&K has also achieved nearly 100 electrification much before the deadline,” he said.
“It is the endeavour of my government that every drop of water that was wasted in the past is now used for developing the hydro power potential of the state. In healthcare sector every poor family is covered with Rs 5 lakh healthcare insurance. This includes lakhs of people in Jammu and Kashmir.”
From Srinagar, the Prime Minister digitally laid foundation of different projects and also inaugurated some development projects.
This includes the transit accommodation for migrant employees in Ganderbal district with 192 flats and in Bandipora district with 480 flats, the 400 KV double circuit Jalandhar-Amargarh electric transmission line and a business process outsourcing unit in Bandipora.
Launches several devt projects in JK
LEH/JAMMU/SRINAGAR, FEB 03: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched several development projects in Jammu and Kashmir during his day-long visit to the State. He laid foundation of prestigious AIIMS in Jammu and Srinagar.
Beginning his J&K visit from Ladakh this morning, Prime Minister laid foundation of New Terminal Building of Kushak Bakula Rinpoche Airport at Leh.
The New Terminal Building of KBR Airport Leh is coming up over 11.8 acres of land at a project cost of Rs 480 crore. It shall have 18 check-in counters, two arrival baggage carrousels, three passenger boarding bridges with parking facility for 200 cars. The new airport terminal will be upgraded to handle A320 and B737 aircrafts.
Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation 220 KV Single Circuit, Srinagar-Alusteng-Drass-Kargil-Khaltsi-Leh Transmission System to connect Ladakh with the National Grid for assured power supply. The foundation of this project was laid by the Prime Minister in August 2014. The transmission system has been completed by the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd at a cost of Rs 2361.60 crore.
Prime Minister also inaugurated 9MW Dah Hydroelectric Project in Ladakh. The project has been completed at a cost of Rs 95 crores and it will provide electricity to around half a dozen villages in the area.
Prime Minister also launched the University of Ladakh established under University of Ladakh Act 2018. It will be a Cluster University comprising Degree Colleges of Nubra, Leh, Zanskar, Kargil, Drass and Khaltsi. The University shall have administrative offices both at Leh and Kargil.
The Prime Minister also declared open several new tourist and trekking routes in Ladakh region to facilitate more tourist footfall in the area.
In addition, Protected Area Permit’s validity has been increased to 15 days in Ladakh region. Now tourists will be able to enjoy their journey in Ladakh for a longer time.
Prime Minister also addressed a gathering at the auditorium of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) Leh.
Governor Satya Pal Malik, Minister of State in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, Chairman Legislative Council Haji Anayat Ali, Chairman/CEC, LAHDC, Leh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan, Legislator Chering Dorjay, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh, DC Leh Avny Lavasa and other senior civil, police and Army officers were present on the occasion.
Earlier on his arrival at Leh, Prime Minister was received by Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and senior officers from civil, police administration and the Army.
At Jammu, Prime Minister laid foundation of AIIMS Jammu at Vijaypur, Samba.
AIIMS Jammu is coming up at a cost of Rs 1661 crore under PMDP. Around 2000 kanals of land have been transferred to the Health and Medical Education Department at Vijaypur for the AIIMS Jammu project.
AIIMS Jammu shall have 750 bedded state of the art super-specialty hospital with a Medical College and Nursing College.
Prime Minister also laid foundation of a Bridge over River Chenab at Sajwal (Pargwal-Indri Pattian), Jourian in Jammu. The 1640 m (39 spans) double-lane bridge would provide alternate connectivity between Sajwal and Indri Pattian areas reducing the travel distance from existing 50 KMs to 3 KMs. The bridge will be completed by March 2021.
Prime Minister laid foundation of Pollution Abatement Project on Rivers Devika and Tawi. The project is being implemented under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) at an estimated cost of Rs 186.74 crore involving development and beautification of 25.29 sq kms of rivers Devika and Tawi in Udhampur district.
Prime Minister laid foundation of the Northern Regional Centre of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) Campus Jammu coming up over 15.25 acres of land at Kerian in Jammu at an estimated cost of Rs 16.40 crore. He also inaugurated University Institute of Engineering & Technology Janglote, Kathua. He also launched entrepreneurship and career development hub at Jammu University.
Prime Minister also laid foundation of 624 MW Kiru Hydroelectric Project to be constructed over River Chenab in district Kishtwar by Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Ltd (CVPPPL). The project cost is Rs 4708.60 crore and it is to be completed in 54 months. J&K will get free power from the project as per the norms besides 1% additional free power will be provided towards Local Area Development Fund.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also exchanged, on the occasion, between J&K Power Development Department (JKPDD) and NHPC Ltd for execution of 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project on river Chenab in Drabshalla area of district Kishtwar.
On the last leg of his visit, Prime Minister laid foundation of various projects in Srinagar including AIIMS Kashmir coming up at Awantipora, Pulwama at a cost of Rs 1828 crore over 207 acres of land.
AIIMS Kashmir shall have 750 bedded state of the art super-specialty hospital with a Medical College and Nursing College.
The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation 400 KV Double Circuit Jalandhar-Samba-Rajouri-Shopian-Amargarh (Sopore) Transmission Line. The project has been completed at a cost of Rs 3000 crores and would bring additional 1000 MW of electricity to the Kashmir valley.
