In a significant move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Jammu on Tuesday, marking his second visit to Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The visit holds crucial importance ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The Prime Minister’s visit aims to inaugurate a series of development programs, including the unveiling of AIIMS, Jammu; the world’s highest railway bridge over Chenab; and north India’s first river rejuvenation project — the Devika River project — in Udhampur.
The political landscape in J&K, which has been without an elected Assembly since 2014, gains prominence as Union Minister Jitendra Singh emphasizes the need for the Prime Minister’s visit before the election code of conduct comes into play.
This visit follows the Supreme Court’s December ruling, affirming the constitutionality of the Article 370 abrogation. The court directed the restoration of statehood and instructed the Centre to hold Assembly elections by September 2024.
The BJP has been actively preparing for the elections in J&K. In January, the party held the first meeting of its state election committee in the Union Territory and organized a workshop on its countrywide “Gaon Chalo Abhiyan.”
In the 2019 polls, the BJP secured victories in two Lok Sabha seats – Jammu and Udhampur. These seats in the Jammu region are crucial for the party, as opponents National Conference (NC), PDP, and Congress lack popular figures in these constituencies. The party is also eyeing the Anantnag seat in Kashmir this time around.
During Tuesday’s visit, the Prime Minister is set to inaugurate AIIMS, Jammu; the world’s highest railway bridge over Chenab; and north India’s first river rejuvenation project — the Devika River project — in Udhampur. The 1.3 km-long rail bridge, located 359 meters above the Chenab, is a crucial link in the 111-km Katra–Banihal stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) Project.
These projects signify a major push towards development in the region, providing essential healthcare infrastructure, improving connectivity, and addressing environmental concerns.
Additionally, the Prime Minister will flag off the first electric train in the Valley, marking a significant milestone in the region’s transportation and connectivity development.
As Prime Minister Modi embarks on this visit, it not only showcases a commitment to development but also sets the stage for crucial political developments in Jammu and Kashmir.
