Srinagar: Every stone and weapon raised by misguided youths destabilises Jammu and Kashmir and the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. Modi asking the state’s residents to make efforts to do away with the current atmosphere of instability.
The prime minister, who is on his first visit to the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir after announcing the suspension of anti-militancy operations during Ramadan, said there were foreign powers determined to foil any development of the state.
Modi urged the youths to join mainstream development efforts — in the country and in the state — to ensure their future and that of the coming generations.
He said the central and the state government were armed with the policies, the intent and capability to take decisions to solve development issues the state is facing.
“I would urge everyone to channel their energies in the development of the state. The solution to every problem is only development, development, development,” he said.
The prime minister’s remarks came as he dedicated the 330MW Kishenganga Power Project constructed in the Gurez area of Kashmir. Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Srinagar Ring Road at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) Srinagar. The 42.1km, four-lane Srinagar Ring Road will link Galandar in West Srinagar to Sumbal in Badnipora district.
The ring road in Srinagar is aimed at reducing traffic congestion in these cities and making road travel safer, faster, more convenient and more environment friendly.
“Not a single year has passed since I took over as the prime minister when I did not visit the state,” he said.
The prime minister said this month is to remember the teaching and message of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
“The lessons of equality and brotherhood from his life can take country and the world forward in true sense,” he said.
The prime minister said it was a delightful coincidence that the ceremony for handing over the project was taking place in the month of Ramadan.
“The project will not only provide free but also sufficient power to the state. A large portion of power requirements of the state are supplied from other parts of the country. This 330MW project will solve the shortage of power issue to a considerable extent,” he said.
The prime minister said the government is trying to provide power to every home in the state under the Saubhagya scheme.
He said an important part of Jammu and Kashmir’s development is tourism but insisted that the state cannot run on old methods.
“The tourists now want facilities. They do not want to be stuck in narrow lanes for hours. They want continuous power supply, they want hygiene. Better air connectivity,” he said, adding that the government was working on bringing about a modern ecosystem required for the development of the tourism sector in the state.
“There will be an increase in tourists in J&K with stronger ecosystem. The youths of the state will get new employment [opportunities] with it,” he said.
