Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, June 11

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite the restoration of statehood to the federally administered territory and sought continued central support for economic development, infrastructure expansion and tourism promotion.

During a meeting in New Delhi, Abdullah said restoring statehood would strengthen democratic institutions and public participation while supporting the region’s next phase of development, according to officials.

Abdullah also raised issues related to economic growth, connectivity and employment generation, including fuller utilisation of Jammu and Kashmir’s hydropower potential, additional rail services ahead of the apple harvesting season and support for tourism, agriculture and small businesses.

In a post on social media platform X after the meeting, Abdullah said he discussed “early return of statehood, the state of the economy, pace of development and promotion of tourism” with Modi.

The meeting comes amid persistent demands by Abdullah’s National Conference-led government for the restoration of statehood nearly seven years after Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two federally administered territories in 2019.

The federal government has repeatedly said statehood would be restored at an appropriate stage following the completion of political and administrative processes.

Separately, Abdullah met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to seek measures aimed at improving connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.

Abdullah proposed allowing civilian flights to operate from the Indian Air Force airfield at Awantipora in south Kashmir if Srinagar airport is closed from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15 for runway repairs.

Officials said the federal government would explore options to minimise disruption to air travel during the peak autumn tourism season.

The chief minister also requested additional rail services to the Valley and sought a stop for the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express at Anantnag in south Kashmir.

A day earlier, addressing the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog chaired by Modi, Abdullah sought greater federal investment and institutional support for Jammu and Kashmir.

He urged the Centre to extend benefits available to India’s hill states under the “Pride of Hills” initiative to Jammu and Kashmir and called for a long-term hydropower partnership to harness the region’s estimated 14,867 megawatts of hydropower potential.

Abdullah also sought support for new tourism infrastructure, expansion of rail services, promotion of agricultural and handicraft sectors and the establishment of government medical colleges in districts that currently lack them.

He said Jammu and Kashmir recorded 23.6 million tourist arrivals in 2024 and highlighted government programmes aimed at entrepreneurship, agriculture and skill development as key drivers of economic growth.

“Jammu and Kashmir seeks partnership and convergence to transform its resilience, resources and human potential into a stronger contribution to national growth and development,” Abdullah said.