Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Srinagar on Thursday, where he will take part in the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ programme and unveil several development initiatives aimed at boosting agriculture and tourism in the region.
Among the key projects that PM Modi will inaugurate is the ‘Holistic Agriculture Development Programme’ (HADP) worth Rs 5000 crore for boosting agri-economy in J&K.
HADP is an integrated programme focusing on horticulture, agriculture and livestock husbandry in Jammu and Kashmir. The programme is expected to help about 2.5 lakh farmers acquire agri skills via dedicated Daksh Kisan portal. Additionally, about 2000 Kisan Khidmat Ghars will be established and robust value chains will be set up under HADP.
PM Modi will also launch multiple projects related to the tourism sector worth more than Rs 1400 crore under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme.
The initiatives include a project for ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine, Srinagar; development of tourism facilities for the Northeast circuit in Meghalaya, spiritual circuit in Bihar and Rajasthan, and rural and Tirthankar circuit in Bihar; development of Jogulamba Devi Temple in Jogulamba Gadwal district of Telangana; and development of Amarkantak Temple in Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh.
PM Modi will also launch the first-ever ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Tourist Destination Poll’ and ‘Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign’. He will unveil 42 tourist destinations identified under the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme. The scheme, announced during Union Budget 2023-24, focuses on sustainable development and promotion of tourist destinations. Additionally, PM Modi will launch about 43 projects aimed at development of pilgrimage and tourist centers across the country.
Furthermore, PM Modi will hand over appointment letters to about 1000 government recruits in Jammu and Kashmir and interact with beneficiaries of various government schemes, including women achievers, Lakhpati Didis, farmers, entrepreneurs etc.