Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 28 

The Government of India has approved road projects worth about Rs 8000 crore for Jammu and Kashmir under its rural connectivity programme, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Tuesday, in a push to boost infrastructure and economic activity in the region.

Chouhan handed over sanction letters for projects cleared under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-IV to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at an event in Srinagar.

Chouhan said the projects, prioritised under the latest phase of the scheme, aimed to improve connectivity to remote villages and settlements, calling the allocation a “historic” step for the region.

“The objective is not merely to build roads but to connect every village and habitation to the mainstream of development,” he said, adding that better connectivity would improve access to schools, healthcare and markets.

He said the federal government remained committed to supporting Jammu and Kashmir’s development, describing the region as key to India’s broader growth strategy.

The minister also highlighted efforts to promote women’s empowerment, announcing the release of more than Rs 456.8 billion under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) for women’s self-help groups across 24 states and federally administered territories.

On agriculture, Chouhan said the government would support farmers in the region through measures including improved planting material, high-quality nurseries and crop diversification, while a team of scientists would be deployed to assess local conditions and prepare a development roadmap.

He encouraged integrated farming practices, including livestock, fisheries and beekeeping, to help increase farmers’ incomes and make agriculture more sustainable.

The event was attended by senior political leaders, officials and beneficiaries, with discussions also focusing on rural development, agriculture and employment generation in the region.