UT on growth trajectory post Art 370, linked to nation via rail: Prez Murmu

SPresident Droupadi Murmu on Friday said after the abrogation of Article 370, there is conducive environment for development in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing both Houses of Parliament assembled together in the Lok Sabha chamber, President Murmu said the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections were conducted in a peaceful manner in J&K and the people deserve commendation for this achievement.

President Murmu also talked about the historic rail link between Kashmir and Jammu. She said the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed, connecting the nation from Kashmir to Kanyakumari through railway line.

“Under this ambitious project, the Chenab Bridge has been constructed, which is the highest railway bridge in the world,” she said.

Murmu said India’s first rail cable-stayed bridge, the Anji Bridge, has been completed and the work on the Shinkun La tunnel was also progressing successfully.

“Upon completion in the near future, it will be the world’s highest tunnel, ensuring year-round connectivity between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh,” she said.

She also said that to ensure defence of the country’s borders and internal security, the government has undertaken historic initiatives. The President mentioned the Sonmarg tunnel, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month.

“Along with securing the borders, the development of border areas is also a key component of our strategy. Roads in border areas, along with modern infrastructure like the Atal Tunnel, Sela Tunnel, and Sonamarg Tunnel, have enhanced both defence capabilities and tourism,” she said, adding that the Vibrant Villages Programme has been launched in the country’s first villages located along the border.

In 2019, the government scrapped Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two union territories - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

In 2024, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed Assembly elections for the first since the abrogation of Article 370. The National Conference, which won the maximum number of seats, formed the government in the Union Territory.