Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Feb 14 (KNS): With Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to visit Jammu and Kashmir on February 20, authorities in the Union Territory are intensifying preparations for his arrival, focusing particularly on stringent security arrangements.
PM Modi is anticipated to address a public rally at the MA Stadium in Jammu and inaugurate several crucial developmental projects across the region.
Sources said that the impending visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jammu and Kashmir has spurred a flurry of activity among the Union Territory authorities.
“With the PM's schedule finalized for February 20, robust security measures are being implemented, especially in and around the MA Stadium in Jammu, the likely venue for the public rally. Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Atal Duloo, accompanied by top security officials, conducted a thorough review of the security arrangements at the MA Stadium in Jammu. Stringent measures are being enforced to ensure the safety and seamless execution of the public rally and other scheduled events during the Prime Minister's visit,” sources told news agency KNS.
The forthcoming visit of PM Modi is expected to inject fresh momentum into developmental activities in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the government's steadfast commitment to the region's progress and prosperity.
Authorities are sparing no effort to guarantee a secure and successful event. The PM's presence is anticipated to usher in a new era of development and advancement in the region, bolstering the government's endeavors to foster inclusive growth and tackle long standing infrastructure challenges.
Union Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Dr. Jitendra Singh, had confirmed the details of the visit during discussions with reporters in Udhampur.
He had outlined the various projects slated for inauguration during PM Modi's visit, including the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Vijaypur in Samba district, the highest railway bridge over the Chenab in Reasi district, the Devika project in Udhampur, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Jammu, and the Shahpur-Kandi Dam project, among others.
"We aimed for the Prime Minister's visit to J&K before the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,"Dr. Singh had said.
The centerpiece of the infrastructure to be inaugurated during the visit will be the 1.3 km Chenab rail bridge, towering 359 meters above the river bed. This crucial link in the 111-km stretch from Katra to Banihal stands as a testament to India's engineering prowess, soaring 35 meters higher than the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. The bridge forms part of the ongoing prestigious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, which aims to enhance connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.(KNS)