“Economy Doubles, Tourism Booms & Infrastructure Soars as J&K Sheds Past Struggles; LG Credits PM Modi’s Vision for Unprecedented Progress”
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, July 17 : The past five years in Jammu and Kashmir have been marked by a transformative push for transparency, accountability, and massive infrastructural and economic growth, according to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
In an interview with the national media, as per Kashmir Despatch, LG Sinha highlighted the significant strides made in various sectors since he assumed office.
LG Sinha revealed that the Union Territory’s economy has doubled under his administration. A notable success story is the revival of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank, which was once struggling with losses of ₹2-3 crore but has now turned profitable, generating earnings between ₹1-7 crore.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasized the rapid infrastructure expansion, including highways and tunnels that have drastically improved connectivity. “I recall when I first took charge, traveling from Jammu to Srinagar took 7-8 hours. Today, the same journey is completed in just 4 hours,” he said.
Currently, highway and tunnel projects worth ₹1.5 lakh crore are underway. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), approximately 250 villages have been connected, with an additional ₹4,000 crore allocated to link villages listed in the 2011 census.
Premier institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institute of Management (IIM), two All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and seven new medical colleges have been established in the region. LG Sinha credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership for these advancements.
Power generation capacity has increased from 3,100 MW to 3,450 MW in the last five years, with significant improvements in distribution efficiency.
Tourism has seen an unprecedented boom, with 2.38 crore tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir last year alone. This surge has revitalized the local economy, generated employment, and boosted allied industries.
Private sector investments have surged from ₹14,000 crore to ₹30,000 crore, with ₹12,000 crore already realized. This influx has created numerous job opportunities, further strengthening the region’s economic stability.
Under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, major policy shifts in security have sent a clear message: “We will not buy peace; we will establish it.” The coordinated efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Indian Army, and CRPF have eradicated frequent lockdowns and strikes. Stone-pelting incidents have ceased, local recruitment into terrorism has drastically declined, and top terrorist commanders have been neutralized.
“However, this peace, prosperity, and progress are unacceptable to our neighbor Pakistan. But Jammu and Kashmir is marching ahead—constructing world-class roads and paving the way for a brighter future,” LG Sinha asserted.
With sustained development and a firm stance on security, Jammu and Kashmir is poised for a new era of growth and stability under the current administration he added.
