 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 3: BJP Senior Leader and Rajya Sabha MP Er. Ghulam Ali Khatana today appreciated the Narendra Modi Government for its unprecedented focus on infrastructure, connectivity, employment, self-reliance and tourism development across every sector and region of the country.
Er. Khatana said that the transformation is particularly visible in Jammu & Kashmir, where years of disruption, bloodshed and frequent hartals have increasingly given way to development, connectivity, investment and tourism-led economic opportunities.
He said that the expansion of national highways, railway connectivity, new train services, tunnels, bridges, road infrastructure and tourism facilities in Jammu & Kashmir is creating the foundation for sustained economic growth. Improved connectivity is bringing tourists closer to the Valley, opening new opportunities for local businesses, transporters, hoteliers, artisans, youth and entrepreneurs.
"Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing a visible transition from the era of bloodshed, violence and hartals towards peace, connectivity, tourism and prosperity. Highways are being expanded, railway connectivity is reaching new areas, and tourism infrastructure is being strengthened. This is the new Jammu & Kashmir that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned," Er. Khatana said.
He said that the development story of J&K is part of a much larger national transformation.
The MP highlighted the operation of India's first double-stack long-haul container train in Gujarat, running from JNPT to CONCOR's GCT terminal at Varnama near Vadodara through the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. The service demonstrates the Government's commitment to modern freight infrastructure, reducing road congestion, diesel consumption and logistics costs while improving port-hinterland connectivity.
He also welcomed the festive-season employment boom in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, saying that the faster growth of temporary hiring in smaller cities demonstrates the widening geographical spread of India's economic activity. The growth of e-commerce, quick-commerce, retail and warehousing is creating employment beyond traditional metropolitan centres.
Er. Khatana further appreciated Nagaland receiving natural gas through the National Gas Grid for the first time, calling it another example of the Modi Government's commitment to strengthening connectivity and development in the Northeast. The integration of the Northeast Gas Grid with the National Gas Grid will support energy security and unlock economic opportunities in the region.
He also highlighted the growing market for lab-grown diamonds in smaller cities, describing it as evidence of changing consumer demand and India's growing capabilities in emerging industries and advanced manufacturing. |
