‘Development gaining pace in all sectors’
Comm reviews Shri Amarnath yatra arrangements
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 16: The Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Home Affairs chairperson, Radha Mohan Das Aggarwal has observed that the situation is now normal in Jammu and Kashmir with tourists coming in large numbers, markets abuzz with people till late in the night, educational institutions working normally and local people enjoying their lives.
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“The development has also been gaining pace in all sectors including rail, road, health, education, sports etc. The employment opportunities are also being generated,” Aggarwal told the Excelsior at the end of nearly week-long visit of the PSC to twin Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
He said the PSC had separate meetings with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, senior Army officers, civil and police administration including the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) besides the local administration of Srinagar, Gulmarg and Sonamarg.
Asserting that a change in the situation in Kashmir is clearly visible, Aggarwal said the people were moving freely at Lal Chowk, Srinagar till 10 PM, markets everywhere were packed, and tourists are flocking in huge numbers and even in the villages, shops remained open till late in the night.
“These are the major achievements of Jammu and Kashmir administration, police and Army,” he said.
He said the two things with which the people were satisfied was free political speech by the leaders of all political parties and free and fair Assembly elections held in September-October 2024. Earlier, the Chief Minister was elected with 8-9 percent votes but this time there was huge turnout and people got the Government in free and fair manner, he added.
Asserting that number of the tourists has gone up significantly after decline last year following Pahalgam terror attack, the PSC Chairpersons said now all areas, roads etc are full with tourists as fear in their mind has been removed.
“The administration gave detailed briefing to the PSC on decline in terror incidents, efforts being made by them to bring further contain the terrorism, the possible spots where the terrorists could be hiding, military outreach programmes etc,” Aggarwal said, adding there has been development in road, rail and other sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the Committee was also given follow up on October 20, 2024 Sonamarg terror attack and April 22, 2025 Pahalgam attack including arrangements made by the security agencies to prevent such incidents in future. The Panel, he added, also reviewed arrangements for annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji starting July 3 including security, medical etc.
“The people are upbeat over construction of Zojila tunnel which will link Kashmir with Ladakh throughout the year. This had been a long pending demand of the people which is going to become a reality shortly,” Aggarwal said.
The PSC on Home Affairs had reached Katra on May 10 and reviewed disaster preparedness at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Bhawan the next day before leaving for Kashmir in Vande Bharat Express train.
After visiting different parts of Kashmir and Kargil in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the PSC members will return to New Delhi tomorrow.
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