Choice is between tourism and terrorism: PM Modi to Kashmir youth

Udhampur, April 2
Maintaining that 40 years of bloodshed has not helped anybody in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Valley youth had to choose between tourism and terrorism for their future.

“My Kashmir Valley has bled for 40 years and it has not helped anybody,” Modi said while addressing a rally here after inaugurating the 9.2-km Chenani-Nashri tunnel.
“The Centre is with you to help in tourism. We should understand the strength of tourism. It could bring entire world to the Valley,” he added.

Modi also invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s principle of “Jamhooriyat, Insaniyat and Kashmiryat”.
Terming the tunnel to be the lifeline of Kashmir Valley, PM Modi said it will not only cut the distance but will prove to be a leap towards the development of the region.
Modi also congratulated J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti for utilising 50 per cent of the Rs 80,000-crore package announced for the state last year.
He said advanced technology has been used to construct this tunnel and it will also give a boost to tourism in the Valley.
“I want people to inaugurate the tunnel,” Modi said, asking people to use flashlights of their mobile phones to inaugurate the tunnel.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the tendering process for 14-km Zojiala tunnel to Ladakh will be started within 2 months, Gadkari said.
He announced that work on two ring roads in Jammu and Srinagar will start soon.
J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said the tunnel will not only cut down distance but also bring Kashmiri people closer to India.
She congratulated Modi on victory in the UP polls.
Expressing hope that Modi will bring J-K close to India, Mehbooba praised the PM for his commitment and strong will. She also invited PM Modi to Kashmir Valley.
“PM Modi can take decisions to address the vexed issues of J&K,” she said.