New Delhi, Jan 31: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has changed following the abrogation of Article 370.
Addressing a joint session of Parliament, President Murmu remarked that peace and prosperity have returned to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.
Murmu said that the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir have been conducted peacefully, and the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve congratulations for this.
Before starting her address, Murmu paid homage to former prime minister Manmohan Singh who passed away recently. She also offered tributes to those who died at the Maha Kumbh.
President Murmu said there is a conducive environment for development in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.
“After the abrogation of Article 370, there is a conducive environment for development in Jammu & Kashmir. “In the last six months, the government has made record investments in future infrastructure,” she said.
The President said the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed, connecting the nation from Kashmir to Kanyakumari through a railway line.
“I am happy to inform you that the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed, and now the country will be connected by railway from Kashmir to Kanyakumari,” she added.
On national security, the President said, “
President Murmu said India’s first rail cable-stayed bridge, the Anji Bridge, has been completed and the work on the Shinkun La tunnel was also progressing successfully.
“Upon completion shortly, it will be the world’s highest tunnel, ensuring year-round connectivity between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh,” she said.
In 2019, the government scrapped Article 370 granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir was carved out with a state legislature and elections were held there in 2024 after five years of President’s Rule.
The government has taken historic steps to protect the country’s borders and ensure internal security.
She also spoke about progress in the defense sector. “The government has moved from ‘Make in India’ to ‘Make for the World’ in the defense sector,” President Murmu said.