PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the revocation of Article 370 was pivotal in fostering the comprehensive development of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting his Government was committed to transforming the Valley into a tourist destination that could rival Switzerland. Addressing a large gathering at the Maulana Azad Stadium here, where he launched projects worth over Rs 32,000 crore for Jammu and Kashmir and Rs 13,500 crore for other parts of the nation, Modi highlighted the surge in investments from Gulf countries following a G20 event held in the region last year, which brought global attention to its scenic beauty. Modi heralded a new era for the region and declared that Jammu and Kashmir is breaking free from dynastic rule, with his Government now directly engaging with the populace. During his over 30-minute speech, Modi reminisced about the tumultuous past of J&K marred by violence and separatism and commended the current shift towards a harmonious and prospering J&K, attributing it to balanced development initiatives.

 

“We have seen the days when only disappointing news used to come from J&K. Bomb, guns, kidnapping and separatism had become its misfortune. Today, we are seeing a new J&K with balanced and holistic development,” Modi said in his speech which he began in Dogri language. Despite rain, thousands of locals attended the rally. It was Modi’s second visit to the Jammu region after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Earlier he had addressed a public rally in Samba district in April 2022. Expressing his vision for a flourishing Jammu and Kashmir, Modi vowed to construct infrastructure to rival international destinations like Switzerland. “We have pledged a developed J&K and I have full faith that we will make Jammu and Kashmir more developed and fulfill all your dreams within the next few years...We will create such infrastructure in Kashmir that people will forget going to Switzerland,” he said.

 

The Prime Minister lauded the newfound spirit of the youth in the region, highlighting the transition from desolation to vibrancy in everyday life and also shared his optimism regarding investments from Gulf countries, underscoring the positive reception towards the erstwhile State. Article 370 was biggest hurdle in J&K’s development, says Modi: PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Article 370, which granted Special Status to Jammu and Kashmir and was abrogated in 2019, was the biggest hurdle in the development of the erstwhile State. Modi also said that after the abrogation of Article 370, J&K has witnessed balanced development across regions and in all sectors. He also said the Government has reached people’s doorstep in Jammu and Kashmir the first time. “This is Modi’s guarantee and this will continue,” he said.

 

The Prime Minister said Article 370 was the main hurdle in bringing all-round development in Jammu and Kashmir and the BJP Government has abrogated it. “The Government whose priority is the welfare of just one family cannot think of the welfare of the common people. I am happy to see Jammu and Kashmir is getting free from the dynastic rule,” he said “A developed India means a developed Jammu and Kashmir.” Modi said the common people of Jammu and Kashmir got assurance of social justice mentioned in the Constitution for first time after abrogation of Art 370. “There is a lot of enthusiasm in the whole world today about a developing Jammu and Kashmir.”