Thanks PM Modi for developments in J&K
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday claimed the region has witnessed a huge transformation in the last few years with “no innocent dying in violence”.
Speaking at the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bakshi Stadium here, Sinha said the prime minister, “by establishing a new J&K, has created a new history”.
“It is because of your (PM’s) efforts that people are living life on their own terms. No innocent son of a mother loses his life, no eye is blinded by the pellet guns, no innocent is killed. This is a huge transformation,” Sinha said.
He said the youth of Kashmir do not carry a stone in their hands now, but have books and laptops and build a start-up.
“Security forces have made every effort to end the ecosystem of terror and separatism. The biggest transformation is that before the people used to buy peace, but you (Modi) made it clear that we will not buy peace, but believe in establishing peace. The people of Kashmir are reaping its benefits now,” he said.
“Modi ji, by establishing a new J&K, you have created a new history. The people’s aspirations have got new wings,” Sinha said.
He said till a few years ago, there was no concept of nightlife and multiplex cinemas in the valley. “But, now people of Kashmir enjoy it like other places.”
Asserting that development of J&K has been the top priority of the Modi government since 2014, Sinha said the PM has dedicated every moment to restoring rights of people who have been living on the margins for decades, and ushered a new era of peace, prosperity and hope.
“Today, the crown jewel of the country is shining with new glory. The PM has ensured that fruits of development reach all sections of society and opportunities of growth, justice and dignity are equally available to all the citizens,” he added.
“Bakshi stadium has a capacity of 35,000 and besides this, around 25,000 chairs have been put up here. The way people of the valley have come here to attend PM Modi’s programme, this stadium is completely full.
“I want to apologise to the people who are not able to get a place to sit. If there would have been a ground of 2 lakh capacity, even that ground would be overflowing with the people of Kashmir. This is the kind of love the people of Kashmir have for PM Modi,” he said.
Sharing details of some of the development projects, Sinha said “under the leadership of PM, there is a new dynamism in infrastructure development.
“Z-Morh tunnel worth more than Rs 2378 cr will be completed by June this year; work on the Zojila tunnel project worth Rs 4500 cr is going on which will provide round the year connectivity to Sonamarg,” he informed.
He said Phase-I of Srinagar Ring Road at a cost of Rs 2920 cr will be completed in the month of August, and Phase-II worth Rs 961 cr is to be completed by June 2025.
The work on Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway costing Rs 10,995 cr is expected to be completed in the month of November 2025, Sinha said.
He said Qazigund-Shopian-Pulmama- Srinagar NH444 will be constructed at a cost of Rs 849 cr; and Khanabal-Phalgam-Chandanwari NH501; New highway of Poonch-Uri Road, Baramulla- Kupwara- Tangdhar NH701 have been approved.
Work on Srinagar bypass, Sanatnagar, Bemina and Nowgam Flyovers worth Rs 132 cr is going on, he said, adding that in the Kashmir valley alone, Rs 26,300 cr worth highway and tunnel projects are going on.
“Under PMGSY, in the last four years, we have been successful in constructing a road length of 4926 km at a cost of Rs 3440 cr and connecting every village with 500 population with road.
“Rs 1000 cr worth projects under Srinagar Smart City and 428 projects under NABARD costing Rs 2531 cr are ongoing.
“In last four years, more than 36,000 recruitments for government jobs have been made in a transparent manner,” Sinha said.
