Modi's 'aatmanirbhar' strategy has put J-K on superhighway of growth: Thakur

Union minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has me Jammu and Kashmir a key priority area in his strategy for "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" and has put union territory on a superhighway of growth.

He also said that union territory will soon emerge as an educational hub and will expand educational opportunities for youth.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has me Jammu and Kashmir a key priority area in his strategy for 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India). He has t only taken a special interest in development of region but also put it on a superhighway of growth," Thakur said while dressing rallies in support of District Development Council (DDC) candidates in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said Modi has accelerated development process begun by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Union minister said that from strengning security, social welfare and securing lives and livelihoods of people to ensuring individual democratic rights and building a conducive environment for investment are hallmarks of Modi government towards Jammu and Kashmir.

"Jammu and Kashmir will soon emerge as an educational hub, IIT, IIM, IIMC, AIIMS will expand educational opportunities for youth. We want youth of union territory to compete with rest of India and achieve ir aspirations," Thakur said.  Expanding infrastructure and investment in state will provide m avenues for employment and setting up enterprises, he ded.

Thakur said, "Ecomic growth requires world class infrastructure and we have promised this under Prhan Mantri Gram Sak Yojana (PMGSY). Nearly 11,517 km in total length, 1,858 ros, 84 bridges have alrey been constructed." Ar 1,961 km in total length, 3,261 ros and 243 bridges have been approved as part of infrastructure projects by Modi government. In fact, Srinagar to Leh connectivity has been improved by Rs 9,000 crore Zozila Tunnel, which again is a historic milestone." Thakur furr said government has augmented power infrastructure at a cost of Rs 54,593 crore, which will increase 6,298 MW worth of electricity production.  "For past four deces, only 3,000 MW electricity production was re, however, we have ensured in next four years it is scaled up by ding ar 3,000 MW.

"Srinagar-Leh transmission line along with 220KV Srinagar-Kargil-Leh power transmission system is ar historic initiative towards providing power security to this region. Jammu and Srinagar regions will get two lakh smart meters, which will stop ft and bring transparency. t only will this brighten up lives of people in this region but also get wheels of industry moving," he ded.

Thakur said Jammu and Kashmir is a crucial factor in ecomic strategy and growth of India's ecomy.

"We are investing in educational, health, power and public infrastructure such as ros and bridges because we want to set a strong foundation for growth of this region," he said.