In the heart of New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled for a momentous visit to Jammu on the upcoming Tuesday. The purpose? The inauguration and launch of an array of expansive development projects, spanning education, railway, aviation, and road sectors, with a cumulative value exceeding Rs 30,000 crore, according to well-placed sources. An official disclosed that during this significant Jammu sojourn, the Prime Minister will consecrate, dedicate to the nation, and ceremoniously lay the foundation stone for a multitude of development undertakings, their combined value surpassing an impressive Rs 30,500 crore.
Among the focal points of this visit are the inauguration and dedication of pivotal educational institutions such as IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu. Furthermore, the long-awaited inauguration of AIIMS Jammu, for which the foundation stone was laid in February 2019, is on the agenda for the Prime Minister. During this visit, the official also noted that the PM will preside over the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the new terminal building at Jammu Airport and the Common User Facility Petroleum depot at Jammu.
The Prime Minister’s role extends beyond education and healthcare; he will also dedicate and lay foundation stones for crucial road and rail connectivity projects in Jammu and Kashmir, spanning civic and urban infrastructure. This multifaceted event is slated to take place around 11:30 AM in a public gathering at the Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu.
In an expansive program of over Rs 30,500 crore, the Prime Minister is expected to unfold a diverse array of projects, ranging from health and education to rail, road, aviation, petroleum, and civic infrastructure. A unique aspect of this initiative is the direct distribution of appointment orders to approximately 1500 newly recruited government personnel from Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, the Prime Minister plans to engage with beneficiaries of various government schemes as part of the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu’ initiative.
The educational sector is set to receive a substantial boost, with the inauguration, dedication, and foundation stone-laying for projects worth about Rs 13,375 crore. This includes the permanent campuses of IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IIT Jammu, IIITDM Kancheepuram, the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) in Kanpur, and two campuses of Central Sanskrit University.
In a strategic move towards enhancing healthcare infrastructure, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Vijaypur (Samba), Jammu. This institute, established at a cost exceeding Rs 1660 crore, spans over 227 acres and boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including 720 beds, a Medical College with 125 seats, and an array of other amenities to provide comprehensive tertiary care health services.
Jammu’s aviation sector is not left behind, with the Prime Minister set to lay the foundation stone for a new terminal building at Jammu Airport. This modern facility, spanning 40,000 sqm, is designed to accommodate about 2000 passengers during peak hours, prioritizing environmental friendliness and reflecting the local culture.
The rail sector will witness significant strides, as the Prime Minister dedicates various projects, including the new rail line between Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan and the electrified Baramulla-Sringar-Banihal-Sangaldan section. Notably, the commissioning of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section features the usage of Ballast Less Track (BLT) throughout, promising an enhanced riding experience for passengers.
On the road infrastructure front, the Prime Minister is slated to lay the foundation stone for key projects, including segments of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, the second phase of Srinagar Ring Road, and upgrades to the Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri stretch of NH-01. These initiatives are expected to boost connectivity, reduce congestion, and catalyze economic development in the region.
Another noteworthy project is the Common User Facility (CUF) Petroleum depot at Jammu, for which the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone. This fully automated depot, developed at an approximate cost of Rs 677 crore, is set to have a storage capacity of about 100,000 KL, accommodating various fuels and contributing to the energy needs of the region.
Beyond these, the Prime Minister is poised to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for an assortment of development projects, totaling more than Rs 3150 crore, aimed at fortifying civic infrastructure and public facilities across Jammu and Kashmir. The scope of these projects encompasses road infrastructure, bridges, grid stations, transmission lines, effluent treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, degree college buildings, intelligent traffic management systems, fruit markets, and accommodation projects, among others.