Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, sat down with NDTV to discuss the consequential advancements achieved over the past four years since the revocation of the region's special status and its integration into the mainstream. August 5, 2019, marked the "historic day" when these transformative changes were announced in the parliament by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah.
During an engaging conversation with NDTV's Editor-in-Chief Sanjay Pugalia, as part of a special series commemorating the 76th Independence Day, Sinha conveyed that the scrapping of the special status conveyed a resolute message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir: any doubts cast upon the "unity and integrity of India" would not be tolerated.
In the wake of these changes, a profound "transformational journey" unfolded, reshaping the narrative. Manoj Sinha, a former Lok Sabha MP and BJP national council member who assumed office as the Lieutenant Governor in August 2020 expressed that Jammu and Kashmir's connectivity has experienced substantial improvement, both internally and externally.
"The enhancement of rail and road connectivity has been undertaken," he noted. "Air connectivity to Jammu has witnessed enhancements as well. The Union Territory secured the third position in the PM Gram Sadak Yojana, facilitating the construction of six to 20 km of road daily. Moreover, electricity production, a significant concern, is projected to double within 3.5 years."
The drive towards providing piped water to every household has gained notable momentum. The health sector has also surged beyond the national average, Sinha stated, with the establishment of "new AIIMS, cancer institutes, and medical colleges."
In alignment with the Centre's industrial scheme, ongoing projects exceeding ₹26,000 crore have taken shape. Manoj Sinha expressed confidence that this will pave the way for an influx of investments worth "₹75,000 crore, generating over 5 lakh jobs."
Sinha accentuated the shift in circumstances, stating that the region no longer witnesses shutdowns and is unresponsive to external calls. He emphasized that once-prevailing stone-pelting protests have now become a thing of the past. Notably, he highlighted the vibrant cultural scene along the Jhelum in Srinagar, an emblem of urban transformation under the Smart City Project.
When questioned about the efficacy of these changes, Sinha remarked, "People have borne the brunt of terrorism, witnessing the destruction of generations."
This comprehensive transformation has significantly revitalized the tourism sector. In 2022, Jammu and Kashmir welcomed an astounding 1.88 crore visitors, marking the highest number since Independence. As of July this year, Kashmir has experienced a footfall of 1.27 crore.
