Article 370 was the biggest hurdle in J&K's development: PM Modi

Modi also said that after the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir, which is now a Union Territory, has witnessed balanced development across regions and in all sectors.

Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was the biggest hurdle in the development of the erstwhile state.

While inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for a slew of transformative projects for Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said the now scrapped Article 370 was a wall between the country and Union Territory’s (UT) development.

“Article 370 was the biggest roadblock in the development of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the BJP government has abrogated it. J&K is moving towards an overall development now. It is because of the abrogation of Article 370,” Modi thundered from the stage at the jam-packed Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu after inaugurating over 220 projects worth Rs 32000 crore.

Without naming Abdullahs of National Conference and Muftis of PDP, he said, “The families that ruled J&K for 70 years never thought about the people and the youth. They instead worked to keep their parties relevant to grab power again and again.”

The Prime Minister said they have taken a "sanklap of Viksit Jammu and Kashmir".

“I have full faith in you and I know that we will make Jammu and Kashmir viksit. Your dreams remained unfulfilled for the past 70 years. However, Modi will fulfill your dreams in the next few years,” he said and urged the people to help BJP win 370 seats and NDA win 400 seats in (2024 Lok Sabha) elections.

Modi who started his speech with a Dogri couplet of Padma Sachdev "Mitthdi-e- Dogri Di Boli Te Khand Mithi Dogri”, said, “There is a movie coming on Article 370. This movie will help make people aware about certain important facts about Article 370.”

The PM said that J&K was no longer in news for guns, bombs and separatism now. “Earlier, only disappointing news of bombs, kidnappings, and separation used to come from Jammu and Kashmir, but now it has been replaced by education, connectivity and development,” he said. “From hartals and protest, youth of J&K are scripting their own future now."

During the event, he flagged off the first electric train in the valley and also the train service between Sangaldan station and Baramulla station. The commissioning of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section is significant as it features the usage of Ballast Less Track (BLT) all along the route, providing a better riding experience to the passengers.

The PM said that a record number of schools, colleges and universities were established in India in the last 10 years, with 50 new degree colleges set up in Jammu and Kashmir alone.

Modi said that during his foreign trip to gulf countries recently, he was told that J&K's hospitality and mesmerizing atmosphere was awesome. “This has happened after the successful G-20 presidency and meetings in the country and Srinagar,” he said.

He also added that in the last year, two crore tourists visited J&K which created livelihood opportunities for many. “I assure you as far as infrastructure, people would forget Switzerland and prefer J&K as infrastructure is going to get a big boost," he said.

On the occasion, Modi also handed out appointment orders to approximately 1500 newly recruited government officials.

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union minister Jitendra Singh and prominent BJP leaders, including J&K unit president Ravinder Raina were also present at the event.

While speaking on the occasion Sinha said the commanders of the terror outfits have been sent to their appropriate place “(Jo bhi tanzeeme thi unke top commanders ko uchit jagah pahucha diya gaye hai).”

“Now protest calendar is not issued, and stone pelting is now history. Markets, schools, and universities now remain open throughout the year,” he said.