Katra, Jun 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday vowed that any obstruction, impeding the realisation of J&K youts dreams or aspirations, would have to confront Modi (him) first.
Reference was in the background of the reprehensible Pahalgam terrorist attack, followed by the awe-inspiring Operation Sindoor.
He reassured the people of J&K that the trajectory of growth would not deviate and the hard-earned positive ambience of development created in J&K in the past few years would not be shaken by the Pahalgam attack.
PM Modi was addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone, inaugurating and dedicating to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 Cr at Katra Stadium. This was his maiden visit to J&K, post ìOperation Sindoor.î
The Prime Minister minced no words in conveying that such despicable acts would not deter J&K people or the country as a whole and their resilient march to growth would continue with a ìstrong response.î
ìThis is Narendra Modiís promise to the people of J&K that I will not let development stop here, come what may. If any obstacle comes in the way of the youth here in the realisation of their dreams, then Modi will be the first one to face that obstacle,î he pledged.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha; Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw; Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna; Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh; Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Chowdhary; Leader of Opposition in J&K Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma and BJP Member Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma shared the dais with the Prime Minister.
Earlier, before arriving at Katra stadium for the final leg of his day-long epoch-making visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated the world’s highest railway arch bridge Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Bridge – Indiaís first cable-stayed rail bridge. He also dedicated the strategically crucial Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, worth Rs 43,780 Cr to the nation.
The Prime Minister also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back. From Srinagar to Katra, Vande Bharat Express was flagged off virtually by him at the same time.
In his address to the massive gathering at Katra Stadium, the Prime Minister, after touching the right chords of the receptive audience by paying obeisance to ìMata Vaishno Deviî in Dogri, used the occasion to give a ìreport cardî of his eleven years in power by enlisting almost his flagship schemes.
Then he referred to the Pahalgam attack which was retaliated with an ìunprecedented responseî to Pakistan in the form of ìOperation Sindoor.î
PM Modi was effusive in his praise for the J&K people for their stunning response to Pakistan, thus failing its (Pakistanís) nefarious designs.
ìPakistan through the Pahalgam attack wanted to instigate riots, rob J&K people of their livelihoods and sabotage booming tourism. But J&K peopleís resilience failed its designs,î he noted with pride.
In the post ìOperation Sindoorî scenario, while referring to the sufferings of border residents due to cross-border shelling by ìfrustrated Pakistanî, the Prime Minister asserted that the whole nation was standing in unison with cross-border shelling victims.
For shelling affected people, he also announced a relief package comprising an additional Rs 2 lakh for fully damaged houses and Rs 1 lakh for partially damaged structures. The Prime Minister also exhorted the youth and J&K entrepreneurs to support the Mission Manufacturing Initiative.
ìWe have always invoked Maa Bharati with deep reverence, saying ‘from Kashmir to Kanyakumari,í today, this has become a reality even in our railway network,î PM Modi said emphasising that the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line Project was not just a name but a symbol of Jammu and Kashmirís new strength and a testament to Indiaís growing capabilities.
Among major infra projects, he laid the foundation stone of a road widening project from Rafiabad to Kupwara on National Highway-701 and the construction of Shopian bypass road on NH-444 worth over Rs 1952 crore. He also inaugurated two flyover projects at Sangrama Junction on National Highway-1 in Srinagar and at Bemina Junction on National Highway-44.
The PM laid the foundation stone of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra worth over Rs 350 crore. He also unveiled the coins on the iconic Chenab bridge and stamps on the USBRL project.
Underlining that their government was consistently creating new employment opportunities for the youth, with tourism emerging as a significant driver of economic growth and connectivity in J&K, the Prime Minister highlighted that tourism not only generated jobs but also fostered unity among people.
Condemning Pakistanís repeated attempts to disrupt this progress, the Prime Minister stated, ìIt stands against humanity, social harmony, and economic prosperity.î
Referring to the April 22 incident in Pahalgam, Modi asserted that Pakistan attacked both Kashmiriyat and humanity, intending to incite violence in India and cripple the earnings of hardworking Kashmiris.
He pointed out that this deliberate attack on tourists was meant to sabotage the flourishing tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir, which had witnessed record-high visitor numbers over the past few years.
The Prime Minister remarked that Pakistanís malicious intent directly impacted local workers, including horse riders, porters, guides, guest house owners, and shopkeepers, aiming to destroy their livelihoods. He praised the courage of young Adil, who stood against terrorists, but tragically lost his life while striving to support his family through honest labour.
Lauding the resilience of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister stated that their firm stand against Pakistanís conspiracy sent a powerful message. He remarked that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir were now determined to confront terrorism head-on. PM Modi condemned the destructive impact of terrorism, recalling how it burned schools, devastated hospitals and shattered generations in the valley.
He noted that terrorism even made free and fair elections a major challenge, depriving people of their right to choose their representatives. The Prime Minister affirmed that the strength and determination displayed by the people of Jammu and Kashmir marked a turning point, signalling their commitment to peace, progress, and a brighter future.
PM Modi stated that for years, Jammu and Kashmir endured terrorism, leading many to abandon their dreams and accept violence as their fate. However, he emphasized that their government changed this bitter reality, enabling the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to dream again – and fulfil those dreams. ìKashmirís youth now take joy in seeing bustling markets, vibrant shopping malls, and flourishing cinema halls. Locals aspire to revive Jammu and Kashmir as a premier destination for film shoots and develop it into a hub for sports,î he said.
PM Modi cited the Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela, where thousands of devotees gathered, reflecting the new, optimistic face of Jammu and Kashmir. He also highlighted the excitement surrounding the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and the festive spirit of Eid, demonstrating the regionís resilience and progress.
Recalling that exactly one month ago, on that very night, India executed Operation Sindoor, delivering a decisive blow to Pakistan-based terrorists, the Prime Minister said, ìWhenever Pakistan hears the name of Operation Sindoor, it will be reminded of its humiliating defeat.î He emphasized that Pakistanís military and terror networks never anticipated Indiaís bold move, and within minutes, the terror infrastructure they had built over decades was reduced to ruins.
PM Modi stated that Pakistan was left in shock and frustration, reacting by targeting innocent civilians in Jammu, Poonch, and other districts. He condemned Pakistanís brutal attacks, pointing out that the world witnessed how it destroyed homes, bombed schools and hospitals, and shelled temples, mosques, and gurudwaras.
The Prime Minister praised the resilience of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, stating that their courage in facing Pakistanís aggression had been seen by every Indian.
He observed, ìThe families, which lost loved ones due to cross-border firing, have already received appointment letters for government assistance.î Recognizing the hardship faced by over 2,000 families affected by shelling, PM Modi affirmed that their pain was the nation’s pain. He stated that financial aid was previously provided for home repairs, ensuring relief for those impacted.
The Prime Minister further declared, ìThe Central Government has now decided to enhance this support, offering greater assistance to affected families. The households suffering severe damage will now receive Rs 2 lakh, while partially damaged homes will be granted Rs 1 lakh in additional assistance, beyond the support already provided earlier.î
ìThe government recognizes border residents as the nation’s frontline protectors,î he affirmed.
PM Modi said that over the past decade, unprecedented efforts were made to strengthen development and security in border districts. Highlighting key initiatives, he stated that approximately 10,000 new bunkers were constructed, which played a critical role in safeguarding lives during the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
He announced the formation of two new Border Battalions for the Jammu and Kashmir division, further enhancing security operations in the region. Additionally, he shared that two dedicated Women Battalions were also successfully established, reinforcing defence capabilities and empowering women in the armed forces.
Highlighting the significant infrastructure development taking place in Indiaís international border regions, particularly in challenging terrains, the Prime Minister announced that hundreds of crores were being invested to improve connectivity and security.
He stated that the Kathua-Jammu Highway was being upgraded into a six-lane expressway, while the Akhnoor-Poonch Highway was undergoing widening to facilitate smoother travel.
PM Modi mentioned that 400 villages in Jammu and Kashmir, previously lacking all-weather connectivity, were now being linked with 1,800 kilometres of newly constructed roads. He announced that the government was allocating over Rs 4,200 Cr for these infrastructure projects, reinforcing economic growth and regional development in border areas.
The Prime Minister made a special appeal to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, urging them to actively participate in Indiaís manufacturing revolution.
He called upon young innovators and entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir to join this mission, stating that India needed their modern thinking, innovation, ideas, and skills to elevate national security and economic growth.
He affirmed that a bright and prosperous future awaited Jammu and Kashmir, as both the Central Government and the state government continued to work together toward development.
Saluting the land of the brave Veer Zorawar Singh, he remarked, ìTodayís event is a grand celebration of Indiaís unity and determination. With the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, the Valley of Kashmir is now connected to Indiaís vast railway network.
Underlining that generations in Jammu and Kashmir had long dreamt of railway connectivity, PM Modi said today, that dream had become a reality. Referring to a recent statement by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Prime Minister noted that even as a student in seventh or eighth grade, Omar Abdullah had been anticipating the completion of this project.
Stating that it was a privilege for their government that this ambitious railway project gained momentum during their tenure and was now completed, the Prime Minister emphasized the challenges encountered, like the difficult terrain, extreme weather conditions and falling rocks in the mountains, making the project immensely tough and demanding.
However, he remarked that their government had consistently chosen to face challenges head-on and overcome them with determination. The Prime Minister noted that numerous all-weather infrastructure projects underway in Jammu and Kashmir exemplified that commitment. He cited the recently opened Sonmarg tunnel and his experience travelling over the Chenab Bridge and Anji Bridge as remarkable milestones.
He lauded the engineering brilliance and unwavering dedication of Indiaís engineers and workers, stating that the Chenab Bridge, the world’s tallest railway arch bridge, stood as a testament to Indiaís ambition. He observed, ìWhile people travel to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, the Chenab Bridge surpasses it in height, making it not only a crucial infrastructure achievement but also an emerging tourist attraction.î Similarly, the Prime Minister described the Anji Bridge as an engineering marvel, being India’s first cable-supported railway bridge. He asserted that these structures were not just steel and concrete, but living symbols of Indiaís strength, standing tall in the rugged Pir Panjal mountains.
He declared that these achievements represented Indiaís vision for a developed nation, proving that as grand as India’s dream of progress was, so too was its resilience, capability, and determination. Above all, he emphasized that pure intentions and relentless dedication were the driving forces behind India’s transformation.
Emphasizing that both Chenab Bridge and Anji Bridge will serve as catalysts for prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said, ìThese landmark projects will not only boost tourism but also benefit various sectors of the economy, creating new opportunities for businesses and industries.î He highlighted that enhanced rail connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir would open new doors for local entrepreneurs, driving economic growth.
ìKashmirís apples will now reach major markets across India at lower costs, making trade more efficient. Furthermore, dry fruits and Kashmirís renowned Pashmina shawls, along with other traditional handicrafts, will now be easily transported to every corner of the country, strengthening the regionís artisanal industry,î he said.
The Prime Minister stated that this improved connectivity would also make travel more convenient for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, allowing smoother movement across different parts of India.
He shared a touching comment from a student in Sangaldan, who stated that until now, only those who had travelled outside their village had seen a train in real life. Most villagers had only watched trains in videos, unable to believe that soon, a real train would pass right before their eyes.
The Prime Minister also mentioned that many residents were already memorizing train schedules, excited about the new connectivity. He highlighted a thoughtful remark from a young girl who stated, ìNow, the weather will no longer decide whether the roads remain open or closed.î
ìThis new train service will help people in all seasons. ìJammu and Kashmir as the crown of Mother India, adorned with dazzling jewelsóeach representing the regionís immense strength and beauty,î the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi pointed out the presence of premier institutions such as IIT, IIM, AIIMS, and NIT, alongside Central Universities in Jammu and Srinagar, strengthening academic excellence in the region. He also noted the expansion of the research ecosystem was further enhancing innovation and learning opportunities.
While referring to the achievements of his government in the last 11 years, PM stated that over 25 crore people successfully overcame poverty in the last 11 years, transitioning into the neo-middle class. He added that it was for the first time since independence that their government had worked for the honest, tax-paying middle class.
