J&K assembly polls for peace, development, says Gadkari

"World-Class Roads in J&K by 2025"

Jammu: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are not about the victory of the National Conference-Congress alliance or the PDP but about making the region more prosperous and peaceful.
Gadkari said only the BJP guarantees peace, development and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir.
"The assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are not about the victory of National Conference - Congress alliance leaders or PDP leaders but these important elections are for making J&K prosperous, peaceful and take forward the Union Territory on the path of development," Gadkari said addressing a public rally at Jammu.
“We do not need to mention about the works done since 2014 in J&K after Narendra Modi became the PM...The people very well know this as massive development has taken place in J&K and above all peace has been established and people are living a dignified life without any fear,” he added.
The senior BJP leader said, “The people in this election will decide that they want development, peace, progress, tourism in J&K and do not want terrorism and unrest to come back to Kashmir.” Gadkari said the Government of India has undertaken several development works in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014.
“The road infrastructure works in J&K have been done three times in last 10 years as compared to the works done since 1947. The road infrastructure works worth Rs 2 lakh crores have been done in J&K in the last 10 years,” he added.
Gadkari said tunnels worth Rs one lakh crore have been sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir and the work on these has been going on.
“There are a total of 27 tunnels and 10 have been completed and work on 17 has been going on. The work on three tunnels between Jammu-Rajouri and Akhnoor has been going on. New Ring Road for Jammu and Srinagar is also coming up,” he added.
Gadkari further said in the coming days, "the travel time between Delhi and Katra will be six hours and the travel time between Delhi and Srinagar will be of mere eight hours after the completion of ongoing works".
Earlier, addressing a rally in Budhal area of Rajouri in support of the BJP candidate, he announced the completion of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mughal Road, with work set to commence soon.
He also revealed that the Sinthan Pass Tunnel, a key infrastructure project estimated at Rs 5,000 crore, is slated for completion by 2028.
Gadkari detailed the government’s ongoing efforts to transform Jammu and Kashmir’s connectivity, including the construction of 50 tunnels, some of which are already completed while others are in progress.
Gadkari assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir that by 2025, the region will witness world-class road infrastructure, with highways comparable to those in America. These developments are expected to significantly boost tourism and economic growth in the region.
Emphasising the natural beauty of Kashmir, Gadkari described it as a place of unmatched beauty, surpassing even the famous destinations of Switzerland and Austria. However, he highlighted the stark reality of poverty faced by the people in the region.
“Kashmir is beautiful, and God has given it a beauty that if we travel to any place in the world, like Switzerland or Austria, we only say one thing: Kashmir is beautiful,” Gadkari remarked. “But the people here are poor, and to end this poverty, we need a good government. I can say with authority that the BJP is the party that is working for the benefit of the people.”
Gadkari announced a series of development projects aimed at boosting tourism and employment in Jammu and Kashmir. Encouraging the people to take advantage of these opportunities, he stressed the importance of education, innovation, and entrepreneurship as key drivers for the region’s growth.
“We want the development of Jammu and Kashmir,” he stated. “Despite all that we have done, a lot more needs to be accomplished. From 1947 to 2014, work was done, but in the last ten years, more than that has been achieved, and we will continue this in the future.”
Additionally, he spoke about the Zojila Tunnel, initially estimated to cost ₹12,000 crore but being built for ₹5,000 crore, thereby saving funds for the country. The Sinthan Pass Tunnel, estimated at ₹5,000 crore, is slated for completion by 2028, he added.