PM Modi to visit J&K on February 3, first since government collapse

For the first time since the fall of PDP-BJP collation government in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir this Sunday and inaugurate several projects. He will also address a public rally and panchayat members.

The visit is being considered crucial for PM Modi as the state will be heading to assembly elections this year, amid questions whether J&K will go to polls with Lok Sabha.

During the visit, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for various development projects. He will also inaugurate projects worth Rs. 35,000 crore and Rs. 9,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir, PTI reported. 

BJP general sectary and J&K in charge, Ram Madhav told media earlier this month that "PM will lay the foundation stone for AIIMS, IIM, IIT, Jammu-Akhnoor road, Shahpur-Kandi road, Sunderbani college and IIMC in Jammu". 

Sources in the police told WION that a team from the Prime Minister's office and special protection group will land in the state today, to check all the arrangements made for his visit.  

This visit is important from other aspects as well as PM will also visit Ladakh region amid growing chorus over giving it divisional status, a demand echoed by BJP leaders. 

After the demand for divisional status to Ladakh, PDP President and former chief minister of the state, Mehbooba Mufti had also raised demand for giving divisional status to Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley regions. 

BJP has a large voter base in Jammu division and it helped them to form a coalition government in the state during 2014 elections. Prime Minister had last visited the State on 19 May 2018 to lay the foundation of Zojilla Tunnel project.