SRINAGAR, FEB 03 : The Prime Minister during his day-long visit to the state, on Sunday, raised the issue of Kashmiri Pandits and said that his government is committed to protect their rights, dignity and pride.

“The country will never forget the violent times in which they were forced out of their homes,” he had said.

Taking the note of Kashmiri Pandits hardships he said, “The Central government is committed to mitigate the hardships of the Kashmiri Pandits, our displaced brothers and sisters and is devoted to restore their pride.”

He also announced 5 more medical colleges to be constructed in the state, adding that a new Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) will give better professional education to the youth of the state.

He laid the foundation stone for AIIMS, Vijay Pur and AIIMS, Awantipora and for the construction of Northern Regional Centre Campus of Indian Institute of Mass Communication at Jammu and also launch the University of Ladakh, the first-ever varsity in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

“In the last 70 years, there were only 500 seats in Jammu and Kashmir but with the continued efforts of the Bharatiya Janata party, these seats have been doubled. The new 750 bedded AIIMS will not only provide better healthcare facilities to the people of J&K but would also become beneficial for medical students of nearby areas,” the Prime Minister said.

Modi further said, “The transportation in the state is being strengthened in the state. The road network is being improved and new roads are being constructed to make stronger connectivity. Rs. 40,000 crore is being allocated for the same.”

The Prime Minister said that over three lakh tourists visited Leh during the last year and around a lakh also travelled to the Kargil district during that period.

“This figure is around half the total number of tourists who visited the Kashmir Valley last year. Tourism in Ladakh will reach new heights in the coming years and I promise that,” Modi said

The Prime Minister is slated to lay the foundation stones for developmental projects worth Rs 35,000 crore and also inaugurate few other projects worth Rs 9,000.

Modi said that the Congress has been filling the pockets of middlemen in the name of farm loan waiver.

Praising the Interim Budget presented in Parliament on 1 February, the PM said that it is designed to help farmers as well as people from all sections of the society.

“Over 12 crore families of farmers who have just two hectares of land will now get an annual direct bank transfer of Rs 6,000. This amount shall be credited to their bank accounts in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000,” he said referring to the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).

The Prime Minister said when Finance Minister Piyush Goyal was reading out the budget proposals in Parliament, “the faces of Congress leaders turned pale”.

Modi said the 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational sectors for economically weak members of general category will benefit the youth of Kashmir, too.

Authorities have suspended mobile internet services in Srinagar, to ensure that PM’s visit passes off smoothly.

However, many separatists groups called for a complete shutdown in the valley to protest against Modi’s visit. (PTK)

New Delhi, February 03, 2019

Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the 220 kV Srinagar- Alusteng – Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission System to the Nation today, a step that would ensure quality power supply to Ladakh round the year. This would give huge boost to the tourism sector and enhance socio-economic development of Ladakh.

Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone for this project on 12 August, 2014 and within 4.5 years, the project has been completed by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID),a Navratna Company of Government of India, under Ministry of Power. While inaugurating this projects PM said, “We’ve left behind culture of delays”.

The Rs. 2266 crore project will result in minimizing the massive use of diesel generating sets during winters, and thus will help in protection of beautiful environment, of pristine Ladakh region.

About Srinagar- Alusteng – Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission Line:

Built at a height of around 3000-4000 meters, this approx. 335 km long transmission line has been constructed by POWERGRID. In this project, the four new State-of-the-Art 220/66 kV Gas Insulated Sub-stations built at Drass, Kargil, Khaltsi and Leh will help to ensure 24×7 quality power in all weather conditions. Funding provisions have been in the ratio of 95:05 (95% Govt. of India share and 5% J&K state share).

Benefits to the region:

The implementation of this project was also aimed to supply power to the people of Ladakh in harsh winters and evacuation of surplus power of Kargil & Leh Hydel stations of NHPC in summers. It is a flagship project of Government of India, under PMRP scheme which was aimed to improve reliability & quality of power supply in Ladakh region of J&K by connecting with National Grid.

This will not only help evacuate power in summers, but will also supply power to the region in winters when temperatures dip and hydro electricity generation do not match up. The project will meet the power demand of Ladakh region at economical rates.

With quality electricity available at reasonable rates, hospitality industry in Ladakh will get a boost, as their reliance on diesel sets will reduce. This will also attract tourists looking for affordable stay in all weathers.

Challenges in execution:

This herculean task executed by POWERGRID in unforeseen weather conditions was made possible by immaculate project monitoring skills, high team spirit and strategic planning and use of modern technologies. The line remains snow covered for nearly six months with the minimum temperature going down to as low as -40 degrees at Drass. Therefore, specially designed tower foundations were constructed with assistance from Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) for spotting the tower foundations, as the work force braved the challenge of working at lesser oxygen levels. It shall also provide grid connectivity and reliable quality power supply to the strategically important Ladakh region including defence establishments in the area.

The occasion was graced by Shri Satya Pal Malik, Hon’ble Governor, J&K, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) for Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Haji Anayat Ali, Chairman, Legislative Council, J&K, Secretary (Power) Government of India, Shri A. K. Bhalla, CMD, POWERGRID, Shri Ravi P. Singh, people’s representatives from the areaand senior officials of state government and POWERGRID.

About POWERGRID:

POWERGRID is one of the World’s Largest Power Transmission Utility, and has a wide network of 150,874 circuit kilometers transmission lines, with 238 Sub-stations and transformation capacity of 351,106 MVA.

The Prime Minister said that over three lakh tourists visited Leh during the last year and around a lakh also travelled to the Kargil district during that period.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Sunday on a day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir where he is slated to inaugurate developmental projects and officially kickstart the BJP’s Lok Sabha poll campaign in the state.
He started his visit by addressing a public meeting here wearing a Ladakhi gown and head gear.

After greeting the audience in Ladakhi, Modi said: “Ladakh is the land of brave people. Whether it was 1947, 1962 or the Kargil conflict, the brave people of Ladakh have always defended the sovereignty and integrity of India”.
The Prime Minister also said that would inaugurate projects here whose foundation he had laid earlier.

“The warmth of your reception has relieved the little cold I felt when I landed here today. I was humbled by the blessings of elderly mothers who came to receive me on my arrival despite the the bitter cold. I promise to return your warmth with full interest through development of this region,” Modi added.

The Prime Minister said that over three lakh tourists visited Leh during the last year and around a lakh also travelled to the Kargil district during that period.

“This figure is around half the total number of tourists who visited the Kashmir Valley last year. Tourism in Ladakh will reach new heights in the coming years and I promise that,” Modi said
“Over 40 per cent of your population is compromised of students and your longstanding demand for setting up a university here is being fulfilled today.”

The Prime Minister is also slated to lay the foundation stones for developmental projects worth Rs 35,000 crore.
He will later begin the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Lpoll campaign in Jammu division by addressing a mega public rally in Vijaypur town, Samba district.

Meanwhile, authorities suspended mobile internet services in Kashmir in view of his arrival. (IANS)