Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday unveiled a slew of development projects worth more than ₹6,400 crore in Srinagar. This is his first visit to the Kashmir valley after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Modi said, "Today, I got the opportunity to inaugurate several development projects related to tourism. The path to building a developed Jammu and Kashmir will emerge from here. J&K is not just a region, it is the forehead of India. Viksit J&K is the priority of Viksit Bharat."
Addressing a public gathering at Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium during 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir' program, Modi said, "The feeling of coming to the heaven on earth is beyond words."
Tricolours, BJP flags and hoardings welcoming Modi were put up along the route that Modi travelled. Stringent security arrangements were put in place to ensure an incident-free visit.
Security personnel were deployed in large numbers along the routes to be taken by Modi in Srinagar while barricades were set up at several places. Drones and CCTV cameras were used for surveillance while foot patrolling by the security forces was intensified in a two-kilometre radius around the venue.
Modi inaugurated initiatives worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore for boosting the agri-economy in the Union Territory.
He launched nationwide projects related to the tourism sector worth more than ₹1,400 crore under the 'Swadesh Darshan' and 'PRASHAD' (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) schemes, including a project for the integrated development of the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar. He also launched the 'Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice Tourist Destination Poll' and the 'Chalo India Global Diaspora' campaign as well, besides announcing tourist destinations selected under the Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme.
With inputs from PTI
