PM Narendra Modi's J&K visit: As it happened

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a Rs 80,000 crore economic package for the development of Jammu and Kashmir.

07 November 2015

15:26 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the phase-II of the Baglihar power project.

Development projects that will contribute to the progress of J&K & the nation. pic.twitter.com/aymQlTvAjF

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2015

14:45 IST

The PM arrives in Chanderkote town in Ramban district of Jammu region where he will inaugurate a power project and also four-laning of Udhampur-Bannihal stretch of Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

14:26 IST

An IAF helicopter carrying Modi, Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed lands at Chabderkote.

12:38 IST

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah slams PM Narendra Modi on Twitter.

PM Modi has made the same mistake of weighing the Kashmir issue in Rupees & Paise!!!!

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) November 7, 2015

12:37 IST

PM Narendra Modi ends his speech.

12:35 IST

Announcing the much-awaited economic package, Modi says: "Don't think Rs 80,000 crore package to Kashmir is the limit. This is not the end, but the beginning."

12:33 IST

PM Narendra Modi announces Rs 80,000 crore package in Srinagar for Jammu and Kashmir. The PM adds: "Not only Delhi's treasures, but Delhi's 'Dil' (heart) is always for the people of Kashmir". The large gathering of people goes into raptures over the announcement at the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium.

12:30 IST

Not only highways, but I-ways (information ways) have to built for people of Jammu and Kashmir so that they have optic fibre connectivity and digital networking facilities: PM Modi

12:30 IST

Stressing on the development of Jammu and Kashmir, Modi says: "We will spend Rs 34,000 crore on Jammu-Srinagar Highway. It will cut the journey time from 12 hours to three-and-a-half hours."

12:25 IST

Speaking about tourism, the Prime Minister says 1.75 crore Indians go abroad as tourists every year. "Why can't we woo 5 percent of those 1.75 crore Indian tourists to visit Kashmir through better infrastructural facilities? There is scope for adventure tourism and eco-tourism here and more tourist destinations can built through development of infrastructure."

12:24 IST

You have cricketers like Parvaiz Rasool. Why can't this stadium host international matches in near future? Great batsmen of the country like Sachin, Dhooni and Sehwag hit centuries, but the bats with which they hit those centuries are made in my Kashmir: PM Modi 

12:21 IST

Solution of all our problems lies in the employment of the youth. We must also provide employment opportunity for the youths in the valley and Ladakh region. I want to congratulate the youth of Kashmir and the whole India is proud of them. In all the competitive exams in our country in the last few years, the youth of Kashmir are faring the best, says the PM.

12:15 IST

We have to follow the path shown by Atal ji. From this stage, Atal ji had raised the slogan of 'Kashmiriyat' (eclectic, sufist culture), 'Jamhooriyat' (democracy) and 'Insaaniyat' (human values). I repeat those words and say that the development of Jammu and Kashmir has to stand on those three pillars. Without the eclectic, sufist culture of 'Kashmiriyat' not only Kashmir, but entire India is incomplete. The massive participation of people in Kashmir in the 2003 elections was a great contribution to democracy based on the principle of 'Jamhooriyat'. Even if the world changes through technological advances, nothing can be achieved without the human values of 'Insaaniyat', says the PM.

12:13 IST

Seventeen months back, nobody could imagine of comparing Indian economic growth with that of China. Today it is said India's economy is growing faster that that of China. I was today reading a report by an international agency, the Transparency International. In the last 50 years, for the first time India is ranked 10 steps ahead of China in transparency and its fight against corruption. We were ranked at 95 in this list and today we are ranked at 85, says the PM.

12:06 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he wants to make Kashmir a dream destination for tourists. "Ïn the past, when people had some money, they wanted to visit Kashmir. I want to bring those days back."

PM delivers his address at the public meeting at Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium in Srinagar pic.twitter.com/yThvLHGDYE

— PIB India (@PIB_India) November 7, 2015

12:04 IST

My first priority is relief for the flood victims, for farmers, for businessmen, for employment to local youth and infrastructure development. I said it last year when I announced Rs 1,000 crore for flood victim and I say it again today that Delhi will work shoulder to shoulder with the state government for equitable development of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, the three regions of the state, says the PM.

12:03 IST

The Chinese President had timed his visit around September 17, my birthday last year. I received him with all the dignity, but said I could not celebrate birthday when people of Kashmir had suffered such a colossal tragedy: PM Narendra Modi

12:02 IST

I am attracted by Kashmir since I have seen love of the people here. I have visited far flung areas of Kashmir when I came here in the past as a BJP worker. Kashmir has suffered a lot over the years. It was because of this love that when floods hit Kashmir last year I was as pained as anguished as any of you. That is why I immediately came here that time to work together with the then state government for helping the victims. I decided I should come here instead of celebrating Diwali with friends. On my birthday on September 17 last year, I went to touch the feet of my mother. She would always give me a few coins on my birthday, but last year she gave me Rs 5,000 saying that this money was for the flood victims of Kashmir: PM Narendra Modi

11:55 IST

PM Modi begins speaking at a public meeting in Srinagar.

PM delivers his address at the public meeting at Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium in #Srinagar pic.twitter.com/3RPyIAs2n0

— PIB India (@PIB_India) November 7, 2015

11:48 IST

PM Narendra Modi is expected to announce a Rs 90,000 crore economic package for the state.

11:48 IST

This is PM Narendra Modi's first visit to the Valley after the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition took power in the state on March 1 this year.

11:45 IST

A large crowd of men, women and children have gathered at the venue where Modi will address the rally.

11:28 IST

Prime Minister arrives in Srinagar.

PM arrives in #Srinagar pic.twitter.com/2B2L1GffDg

— PIB India (@PIB_India) November 7, 2015

11:26 IST

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is accompanying PM Narendra Modi.

11:25 IST

Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, senior ministers of the ruling PDP-BJP government, senior civil and Army officers receive PM Modi at the airport.

11:20 IST

A special aircraft carrying the Prime Minister land at Srinagar International Airport. 

11:00 IST

Mobile Internet services across the Valley have been suspended, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kashmir.

10:50 IST

Independent legislator Engineer Rashid has been detained in Srinagar after he staged a protest against PM Narendra Modi's J&K visit.

10:30 IST

The heightened security arrangements have been put in place as separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a parallel rally to that of the Prime Minister at Tourist Reception Centre ground - stone's throw from the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, the venue for Modi's rally.

10:02 IST

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has been turned into a virtual fortress as police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the city to ensure that the Prime Minister's visit passes off peacefully.

10:00 IST

Unprecedented security arrangements have been made for the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who would address a public rally in Jammu and Kashmir today.