Jammu, Jan 25 (Reporter) Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, on Saturday said that in a historic stride towards progress, the Railway is set to connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the nation, heralding a new era of development, economic growth, and unity. Addressing the people of Jammu-Kashmir on the eve of the 76th Republic Day, Sinha extended greetings to every citizen of the state and said,"this day reminds us of the enduring values enshrined in the Constitution of India. It is a day of pride, reflection, and reaffirmation of our commitment to democracy, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity." "Let us honour our freedom fighters and martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice to protect and preserve our motherland. I extend my deepest tribute to the valiant soldiers of the Indian Army, Para Military Forces, and Jammu and Kashmir Police, whose relentless dedication and sacrifices ensure the unity, integrity, and security of our nation. Beyond safeguarding our borders, they stand as pillars of peace and stability for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Their extraordinary valour and service inspire us to work towards a united, secure, and prosperous India," he said. "The successful conduct of Assembly elections underscores the positive change and this achievement is credited to all the citizens who participated in this democratic exercise, demonstrating their faith in our democratic values and future of Jammu and Kashmir," he said. Sinha expressed that the people now look to the government with renewed expectations, aspiring for an environment that promotes meaningful employment, sustainable development, social inclusivity, and robust economic growth -- paving the way for an enhanced quality of life for all. "For further strengthening and ensuring peoples' participation at a broader level, elections for local bodies will be conducted for establishing three-Tier Governance structure," he stated. He said that good governance is the cornerstone for a prosperous and harmonious future and is pivotal to fostering peace, development, and inclusivity in the region. "By focusing on transparency, accountability, and citizen-centric policies, the government has prioritized empowering local communities through participatory decision-making and equitable resource distribution. Initiatives like digital governance, streamlining public services, and promoting socio-economic programmes aim to bridge developmental gaps and strengthen public trust," he said. J&K has taken lead in making 1,166 online public services available on e-Unnat portal and 501 e-services have been integrated with Rapid Assessment System (RAS). Jammu and Kashmir's economy has recorded a growth rate of 9.5 percent which is driven by sustained government initiatives and strategic policy measures, he said and stated that 'the GSDP of J&K is estimated at Rs 2.45 lakh crore for 2023-24, up from Rs 2.20 lakh crore in 2022-23. This positive trajectory highlights the effectiveness of ongoing economic development strategies, infrastructure advancements, and business-friendly policies." For enhancing legal and judicial consistency and for establishment of robust and unified criminal justice system, ensuring fairness, equality, and the rule of law, three criminal laws have been implemented in Jammu and Kashmir, said Sinha. He further said, "Our Union Territory has witnessed remarkable progress in various sectors of development. From infrastructure development to social welfare, from education reforms to healthcare advancements, our administration has been relentless in its pursuit of growth and equity." Significant strides have been made in road connectivity. Work on Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch National Highway, Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri National Highway and Chenani-Sudhmahadev-Khellani-Kishtwar-Khanabal National Highway is under progress. Work on Banihal bypass on Srinagar-Jammu NH has recently been completed and opened for traffic, said the LG. He also said, "Work on Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway is under progress, which will reduce the distance between Delhi and Katra to six hours only. Srinagar and Jammu Ring Roads are in advanced stages of completion. Z-Morh tunnel has been completed and is being dedicated to the nation soon. Construction of Zojila tunnel is also under progress." He further said that J&K is witnessing rapid development in hydropower generation. "Mega hydro projects like Pakal Dul, Kiru, and Ratle shall be ready by 2026 and Kwar by December 2027 collectively adding 3,014 MWs generation capacity. Another four hydropower projects having 1818 MWs generation capacity (Dulhasti-II, Kirthai-I, Kirthai-II and Uri-II) are in pipeline. Sawalkote HEP is in the techno-economic study phase which is being conducted by NHPC," he said. Major steps have been taken to improve and strengthen agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on creating a sustainable and strong farming economy. The government has introduced the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), an ambitious initiative aimed at mitigating the challenges faced by our farmers and creating a robust and diversified agricultural economy, he said. He further said that Jammu and Kashmir has made significant strides in industrial development, investment, and employment generation in recent years. New policies including the J&K Export Policy, J&K Logistic Policy, and J&K Procurement Preferences Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), are under preparation to further boost economic growth. He also said that for the first time, start-ups from J&K have begun receiving equity funding from institutional investors. PM Ekta Malls are coming up at Srinagar and Jammu for empowering local artisans and providing forward market platforms/linkages. Sinha said, "J&K is an all-weather tourist destination, offering a diverse range of experiences that cater to every type of traveller. One of the most exciting milestones in our tourism journey was the successful launch of the first edition of the Kashmir Marathon, held on October 20, 2024. With over 1,800 runners from across the globe, the event has firmly placed Jammu and Kashmir on the map of international marathons. The participants included from a common man to Chief Minister of the UT." This year, Sinha said, J&K has witnessed a record-breaking 2.36 crore tourist visits till November, 2024. Gulmarg Gondola has witnessed 7.68 lakh tourists and earned a revenue of Rs 103 crore during 2024. To further build on this momentum and enhance the tourism experience, several significant projects are underway, he said. "Our winter sports infrastructure has also seen significant improvements. Drag lifts are now operational in Sonamarg and Gulmarg, two of our premier winter sports destinations. In line with our vision to distribute tourist traffic more evenly across the region and ensure sustainable tourism growth, the government is working to secure multilateral funding under the Sustainable Promotion of Emerging Alternate Destination (SPREAD) initiative to develop alternate tourism destinations across J&K, adhering to international standards and easing the pressure on our most popular locations," he said. Sinha said that government will focus on increasing MBBS, PG and Nursing seats and will add new tertiary care services and advanced courses for strengthening the health care facilities at tertiary level. Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) screening initiatives shall be further strengthened for early detection and treatment of diseases. 10 districts are expected to be TB free by the end of year 2025. Under the School Education, he said that the government is promoting collaboration for research and quality education by embracing technology and digitization. Key initiatives include the establishment of smart classrooms, tinkering labs and the integration of digital resources to enhance the learning experience. To improve teaching standards and educational outcomes, there is a strong focus on capacity building for teaching faculty. The “School Complex” System will be implemented across 746 schools, fostering collaboration and better resource sharing. Under the PM Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) Scheme, 396 schools have been approved for upgradation, aimed at enhancing educational infrastructure across Jammu & Kashmir. 45 Tinkering Labs and 159 STEM Labs are nearing completion. 600 ICT Labs, 2000 Smart Classrooms, and 500 Atal Tinkering Labs are being further set up to enhance the educational ecosystem and promoting innovation, he said. Sinha further said that Jammu and Kashmir has pioneered the establishment of 20 hubs for empowerment of women, which serve as vital centres for supporting women's empowerment by offering comprehensive information on a wide range of women-centric schemes. "More than 550 disabled persons have secured employment in the government sector due to change in reservation policy and notification of posts suitable for various bench mark disabilities," he said. For providing transit accommodation to Kashmiri Migrants employees, 6,000 flats have been sanctioned out of which 2,832 have been completed and 2,016 are at various stages of development, he said and noted that "33,636 displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Chhamb from the conflicts in 1947 and subsequent years have been provided financial assistance of Rs 1,452 crore. 3,541 West Pakistani refugees have been allocated a financial support of Rs 89 crore." "As we look to the future, let us pledge to work together for a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. Our focus remains on sustainable development, fostering innovation, and empowering every citizen to realize their potential. The essence of democracy lies in the participation of its people, and your involvement is vital in shaping a brighter tomorrow," added the Lieutenant Governor...////...