LEH/JAMMU/SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 03(KMW): Kashmir today observed a strict shutdown on the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, responding to a call given by the pro-freedom leadership.
Modi launched several development projects in Jammu and Kashmir during his day-long visit to the State. He laid foundation of prestigious AIIMS in Jammu and Srinagar.
Beginning his J&K visit from Ladakh this morning, Prime Minister laid foundation of New Terminal Building of Kushak Bakula Rinpoche Airport at Leh.
The New Terminal Building of KBR Airport Leh is coming up over 11.8 acres of land at a project cost of Rs 480 crore. It shall have 18 check-in counters, two arrival baggage carrousels, three passenger boarding bridges with parking facility for 200 cars. The new airport terminal will be upgraded to handle A320 and B737 aircrafts.
Prime Minister also “dedicated to the nation” 220 KV Single Circuit, Srinagar-Alusteng-Drass-Kargil-Khaltsi-Leh Transmission System to connect Ladakh with the National Grid for assured power supply. The foundation of this project was laid by the Prime Minister in August 2014. The transmission system has been completed by the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd at a cost of Rs 2361.60 crore.
Prime Minister also inaugurated 9MW Dah Hydroelectric Project in Ladakh. The project has been completed at a cost of Rs 95 crores and it will provide electricity to around half a dozen villages in the area.
Prime Minister also launched the University of Ladakh established under University of Ladakh Act 2018. It will be a Cluster University comprising Degree Colleges of Nubra, Leh, Zanskar, Kargil, Drass and Khaltsi. The University shall have administrative offices both at Leh and Kargil.
The Prime Minister also declared open several new tourist and trekking routes in Ladakh region to facilitate more tourist footfall in the area.
In addition, Protected Area Permit’s validity has been increased to 15 days in Ladakh region. Now tourists will be able to enjoy their journey in Ladakh for a longer time.
Prime Minister also addressed a gathering at the auditorium of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) Leh.
Governor Satya Pal Malik, Minister of State in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, Chairman Legislative Council Haji Anayat Ali, Chairman/CEC, LAHDC, Leh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan, Legislator Chering Dorjay, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh, DC Leh Avny Lavasa and other senior civil, police and Army officers were present on the occasion.
Earlier on his arrival at Leh, Prime Minister was received by Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and senior officers from civil, police administration and the Army.
At Jammu, Prime Minister laid foundation of AIIMS Jammu at Vijaypur, Samba.
AIIMS Jammu is coming up at a cost of Rs 1661 crore under PMDP. Around 2000 kanals of land have been transferred to the Health and Medical Education Department at Vijaypur for the AIIMS Jammu project.
Meanwhile, all the frontline resistance leaders in Kashmir were put under house arrest.
