Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of multiple road and electricity projects worth ₹20,000 crore in his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Modi, was accorded a warm welcome after reaching Palli village in Samba district of Kashmir.
He took part in celebrations to mark the National Panchayati Raj Day, which is observed every year to mark the passing of the Constitution (73rd Amendment Act), 1992 on April 24, 1993.
“This year’s Panchayati Raj Day, being celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir marks a big change. It is a matter of great pride that when democracy has reached the grassroot level in Jammu and Kashmir, I am interacting with you all from here,” Modi said in his addresses to all Gram Sabhas across the nation from Jammu.
Security was beefed up in the valley ahead of Modi’s visit with a blast reported from an agricultural field close to Palli village, just hours before his arrival.
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Since Friday, Kashmir has reported two terror attacks in 48 hours – two Jaish terrorists were killed and one soldier was martyred on Friday after a CISF bus was ambushed by militants. On Saturday two other terrorists were killed by security personnel in Kulgam.
Among key projects that the prime minister inaugurated were the ₹3,100 crore Banihal-Qazigund Road Tunnel, an all-weather tunnel that will cut the distance between south Kashmir and Jammu by 16 km; and the Amrit Sarovar project, a part of the central government’s initiative to rejuvenate 75 water bodies across the country. In Kishwar district, he laid the foundation stones for the 850MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project and 540MV Kwar Hydroelectric Project which will be constructed on the Chenab river.
Modi also laid the foundation stone of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and inaugurated the 500KW solar power plant in Palli village besides flagging off 108 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Samba.
“Work is going on at fast pace to give new impetus to development of Jammu & Kashmir,” the prime minister said.