PM Modi to visit J&K today; First public event since scrapping special status
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir today. This is his first public event and formal visit since the special status of the state was scrapped in August 2019.
He has made informal visits to the union territories on festivals and to visit troops stationed at the Line of Control. Tens of thousands of people are waiting at the BJP-organised event. He is expected to address over 30,000 Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members.
The PM will be visiting Palli where tight security is being put in place. Terrorist targeted a bus carrying 15 CISF personnel in Sunjwan two days ahead of PM's visit. An ASI was killed in the attack, and three other officers were injured.
He will be presiding over a ceremony to mark Panchayati Raj Diwas, a day that commemorates grassroots democracy. An exhibition showcasing the latest innovations will be put in Palli to help farmers and village leaders to improve their income. The Ministry of Science & Technology said in a statement that geospatial technology is amongst the important innovations. Other innovations help in weather forecast, lavender cultivation, and apple farming.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha told media that the new event will see the PM lead the region "into a new era of development."
The Prime Minister is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of development projects worth over ₹ 20,000 crore, including the opening of Banihal-Qazigund road tunnel. The infrastructure is to improve connectivity between two regions of the Union Territory. It will reduce the road distance between Banihal and Qazigund by 16 km, and cut travel time by around one-and-a-half hours.
A statement from the PM's office said that Amrit Sarovar, a programme to develop and rejuvenate 75 water bodies in every district of the country, is also on the agenda. PM Modi will launch the initiative in Jammu & Kashmir today. PM Modi will also lay foundation stones for Ratle and Kwar hydroelectric projects, an 850 megawatt facility in Chenab river.