Jammu and Kashmir, most of the times is in the news for bad reasons, has been lucky this time around as it has emerged as the first among all States /UTs which got sanction under PMGSY-IV and the package will provide connectivity to 390 number of eligible habitations with population more than 250 souls. The GoI has approved 1781 KMs road length to connect these populations.
Reacting to the development, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan for sanctioning 316 road projects worth over Rs 4,200 crore for the Union Territory (UT) under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY).
It is a big step, a step that would positively impact the lives and economy of people living in rural Jammu and Kashmir. While as, in olden days, focus was always on urban hubs and the rural pockets would get least attention, PMGSY has revolutionized the rural populace ensuring a dependable surface communication and this communication is more vital than any other communications for the development, progress and prosperity.
Road connectivity is what changes the lives of people. Under PMGSY, a revolution has erupted all over the country, J&K being no exception. The disconnected and desolated areas suddenly emerged on the developmental map of the country and proudly became the partners in the larger growth process.
Neglected, isolated, deserted – most of these areas are now connected – courtesy, PMGSY. They are now in a position to contribute to the economy of the region and also harvest the benefits of the growing economy. And that is what welfare states are meant to be for. To reach out to the rarest of rare areas, where, proverbially even angels dare not to tread. That is what PMGSY scheme is doing.
Sanctioning of fresh projects in J&K is a great step and will undoubtedly go in a long way to uplift the citizenry here. It will not only broaden the scope of connectivity but will prove a great economic booster. With such kind of developmental initiatives, Jammu and Kashmir, which has suffered a lot on all fronts, including economical, during past several decades, gets courage to see and dream a better future ahead.
While the entire populace of J&K joins LG in expressing gratitude to the Central government for putting J&K ahead of all UTs and States, the people want the union government to come up with more such initiatives to help rebuild J&K, particularly Kashmir, which has suffered a lot – economically, politically, psychologically, financially, and emotionally. They believe that helping Kashmir is to strengthening the integrity of the nation. Period.