Srinagar, Sep 17: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for infrastructure and welfare-related developments in the Union Territory, saying road and tunnel projects worth over ₹1.5 lakh crore are currently underway.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar on Modi’s birthday, Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed significant changes in infrastructure, welfare delivery and connectivity, particularly in roads, tunnels and railway links.

He said infrastructure development had accelerated over the past 12 years and attributed the progress to Modi’s leadership.

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in June that highway projects worth approximately ₹1.35 lakh crore, including completed, ongoing and upcoming works, were being implemented across Jammu and Kashmir.

Sinha also referred to the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, describing it as the fulfilment of a long-standing objective of connecting the Kashmir Valley with the national railway network. The 272-km USBRL project was commissioned in 2026 and includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, according to the Union government.

The LG said central welfare programmes had also been implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. Citing national figures, he referred to free foodgrain distribution to around 80 crore people, LPG connections to nearly 11 crore households and housing sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir had moved beyond what he described as earlier discrimination and highlighted the changes being experienced by the younger generation.

His remarks came as the Union government and the BJP began a month-long programme to mark Modi’s 76th birthday and 25 years in public life. Sinha appealed to people in Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the programmes being organised during the month.