Meets Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, demand greater push on connectivity
New Delhi, Jun 11
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday and discussed a range of issues concerning the Union Territory, including the early restoration of statehood, economic development, infrastructure expansion and tourism promotion.
During the meeting, Abdullah conveyed what he described as the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the restoration of statehood, saying it would strengthen democratic institutions, deepen public participation and help advance the next phase of the region’s development.
He urged the Prime Minister to take the process forward at the earliest.
The CM also briefed PM Modi on Jammu and Kashmir’s economic trajectory and ongoing development initiatives across key sectors.
He highlighted progress in infrastructure creation, public service delivery and welfare measures, while outlining areas requiring continued support and investment.
Abdullah stressed the need for sustained assistance from the Government of India to accelerate economic growth, improve connectivity, generate employment opportunities, expand infrastructure and enhance public welfare across Jammu and Kashmir.
He drew particular attention to the need for fuller utilisation of the region’s hydropower potential, augmentation of rail services on the Udhampur-Srinagar route in view of the forthcoming apple season and the scheduled closure of Srinagar airport, development of new tourism circuits and continued support for farmers, artisans and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“Jammu and Kashmir is committed to being a full and productive partner in India’s growth story,” Abdullah said, adding that the restoration of statehood, coupled with continued support from the Centre, would strengthen the region’s progress towards inclusive growth, prosperity and good governance.
In a post on X after the meeting, Abdullah said he had discussed issues of importance to Jammu and Kashmir, including statehood, the economy, development and tourism.
“Called on Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji to discuss issues of importance to J&K including early return of Statehood, the state of the economy, pace of development and promotion of tourism,” Abdullah posted.
The CM also congratulated PM Modi on completing 12 uninterrupted years in office.
“I congratulated him for the landmark of completing 12 uninterrupted years in office,” he said in a separate post.
The Office of the Chief Minister said in a statement on X that Abdullah and Modi discussed key issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir, including statehood, the economy and development. It said the chief minister highlighted the need for continued central support to strengthen connectivity, create jobs, expand infrastructure and improve public welfare.
The meeting comes amid continued demands by the National Conference-led government for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, nearly seven years after the erstwhile state was reorganised and bifurcated into two Union Territories in August 2019.
Statehood has emerged as the principal political demand of the National Conference government since it assumed office following last year’s Assembly elections.
Abdullah has repeatedly raised the issue with both Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the Centre to fulfil commitments made before Parliament and the Supreme Court regarding the restoration of statehood at an appropriate time.
The chief minister has consistently maintained that the elected government’s ability to effectively address public concerns and deliver governance remains constrained without the restoration of full statehood.
The latest meeting with Modi comes days after Abdullah chaired a meeting of National Conference legislators and Members of Parliament to discuss the party’s future strategy on the issue.
Following that meeting, he announced that the party would intensify its efforts and stage a protest in New Delhi during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament if there was no movement on the demand.
National Conference leaders have argued that the restoration of statehood is essential for strengthening democratic institutions and fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, while pointing to repeated assurances from the Centre that statehood would eventually be restored.
The Centre has maintained that statehood would be restored at an appropriate stage after the completion of ongoing political and administrative processes in Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah’s meeting with Modi is being viewed as part of a sustained political outreach by the Jammu and Kashmir government to secure a timeline for the restoration of statehood while simultaneously seeking greater central assistance for economic development, infrastructure expansion and tourism growth.
The CM’s latest intervention signals that the issue is likely to remain at the forefront of political engagement between Srinagar and New Delhi ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, where the National Conference plans to renew pressure on the Centre over what it describes as the “unfinished process of democratic restoration” in Jammu and Kashmir.
Separately, Abdullah met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi and suggested opening the Indian Air Force-controlled Awantipora airport in south Kashmir to civilian traffic during the scheduled closure of Srinagar airport from October 1 to October 15.
Officials said Abdullah raised concerns over the planned shutdown of Srinagar airport for runway repairs, noting that the period coincides with a major influx of tourists from West Bengal, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
The autumn tourism season, often referred to as “Golden Kashmir” due to the golden-yellow colour of Chinar leaves, attracts large numbers of domestic visitors.
The CM suggested that if the closure of Srinagar airport was unavoidable, civilian flight operations should be allowed from Awantipora during the two-week period.
Officials said the Centre would explore options to avoid a complete shutdown of Srinagar airport in October.
Awantipora airbase was previously used for civilian operations in 2010 when Srinagar airport remained closed from September 4 to September 17 for runway repairs.
The Defence Ministry has also granted in-principle approval for civilian flight operations from Awantipora under the Regional Connectivity Scheme.
According to Srinagar airport officials, a phased maintenance schedule will begin ahead of the October closure.
Flight operations will be suspended for two days every week from next month before the airport shuts completely for 15 days.
Runway repairs, which officials said are essential for operational safety, have already resulted in restrictions on flight operations since April 6 after the Indian Air Force issued a Notice to Airmen restricting flights between 8 am and 5 pm. Daily flight operations have fallen from around 25-30 flights to about 18 flights.
During his meetings with the Union ministers, Abdullah said the tourism sector was still recovering from the impact of last year’s Pahalgam terror attack and warned that disruption of air connectivity during one of the busiest domestic tourism periods could severely affect the local economy.
On Wednesday, Abdullah also met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and sought measures to strengthen rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.
While appreciating the performance and punctuality of the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, he requested a halt at Anantnag and urged the Railways to increase services to the Kashmir Valley, particularly in view of the proposed airport closure in October. KNO
