PM Modi In Srinagar Today Amid Tight Security, His First Kashmir Visit Since Article 370 Move

In his first visit to the valley since Article 370 abrogation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Srinagar on Thursday to attend several programmes.

The PM will land at the Srinagar technical airport around noon. From there, he will board the helicopter to Badami Bagh cantonment and head to the Indian Army’s 15 Corps HQs. His cavalcade will pass through city routes and reach the Bakshi Stadium, where the programme will be held.

Taking to microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, “I will be in Srinagar tomorrow, 7th March to take part in the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ programme. Various development works will also be dedicated to the nation. Notable among them are works worth over Rs. 5000 crore relating to boosting the agro-economy. Various works linked with tourism will also be dedicated to the nation.”

Meanwhile, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, Srinagar city has been declared a “Temporary Red Zone” for the operation of drones and quadcopters.

“Srinagar city has been declared as “Temporary Red Zone” for the operation of drones and quadcopters, as per provisions of Rule 24(2) of Drone Rules, 2021 with immediate effect”, Jammu and Kashmir Police posted on X.

It said all unauthorised drone operations in the Red Zone are liable to be penalised as per relevant provisions of Drone Rules, 2021.

“As responsible citizens, your cooperation is solicited in this regard”, police added.

PM’s First Srinagar Visit Since 2019

The Prime Minister visited Srinagar in 2019 and had also taken a boat ride in Dal Lake. The venue of the PM’s public rally is the iconic Bakshi Stadium and not the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the banks of the Dal Lake. SKICC was the venue for Modi’s events in Srinagar in 2018 and 2019, in indoor settings with heavy security cover and calls for a strike by separatist groups.

But this time, PM Modi will make an open address from the Bakshi Stadium which has been ironically shut for ceremonial functions since 2018 due to security concerns, before being refurbished and hosting the Independence Day parade in August 2023.

PM Modi held an open rally in Srinagar in the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in 2015 as well as in 2014.

Notably, this will be Prime Minister Modi’s second visit to Jammu and Kashmir in as many months. Modi had visited Jammu region last month to inaugurate several development projects. He also addressed a public rally in the city of temples.

Security Tightened

IGP SPG Rajiv Ranjan Bhagat was seen touring the venue area and its peripheries with a team of Jammu and Kashmir Police.

“Multiple checkpoints have been set up, frisking is taking place at important locations while a close eye is being kept on all the entry and exit points of the venue and the city,” a police source told News18.

He said Bomb Disposal Squad teams are carrying regular checks around the venue and sniffer dogs have also been deployed at locations to foil any IED attacks.

Mega Development Plans

During the programme, the PM will dedicate to the nation around Rs 5,000-crore ‘Holistic Agriculture Development Programme’ to boost agri economy in J&K. He will also dedicate to the nation and launch multiple projects related to the tourism sector worth more than Rs 1,400 crore under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme, including the project for ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’, Srinagar.

The PM will also launch the ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Tourist Destination Poll’ and ‘Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign’. He will also announce tourist destinations selected under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme.

Besides, Modi will distribute appointment orders to around 1,000 new government recruits of Jammu and Kashmir and will also interact with beneficiaries of various government schemes, including women achievers, lakhpati didis, farmers, entrepreneurs, etc.

PM Modi will dedicate ‘Holistic Agriculture Development Programme’ (HADP) to the nation. HADP is an integrated program encompassing the full spectrum of activities in the three major domains of agri-economy viz Horticulture, Agriculture and Livestock husbandry in Jammu and Kashmir.

The programme is expected to equip around 2.5 lakh farmers with skill development via dedicated Daksh Kisan portal. Under the programme, around 2,000 Kisan Khidmat Ghars will be established and robust value chains will be put in place for the welfare of the farming community.

Hazratbal Shrine Project

The projects to be dedicated to nation by the Prime Minister include development of ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’ in Srinagar.

In an effort to create world-class infrastructure and amenities for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Hazratbal Shrine, the project ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’ has been executed. The key components of the project include site development of the entire area, including construction of boundary wall of the shrine; illumination of Hazratbal shrines precinct; improvement of ghats and Devri paths around the shrine; construction of Sufi interpretation centre; construction of tourist facilitation centre; installation of signages; multilevel storied car parking; construction of public convenience block and entrance gateway of the shrine, among others.