PM Narendra Modi in Leh-Kargil: As it happened...

In his second visit to Jammu and Kashmir after assuming Prime Minister`s Office, Narendra Modi came out strongly against Pakistan for continuing its proxy war of terrorism against India, saying it has lost the strength to fight a conventional war.

Zee Media Bureau/Kamna Arora

PM Modi has concluded his speech.

The PM vows to do everything possible for the development of Kargil.

Raising the issue of corruption, Modi said: "In my government, I won`t let officials ask for bribes or let people give bribes."

The PM underlined strengthening farmers and cultivators in Kashmir with better technology facilities.

We are interested in development and taking everyone together towards development, said Modi:

We are working towards fulfilling the dream of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

You will be linked to Srinagar and to India and will not have to face power cuts: Modi in Kargil

We have inaugurated a transmission line here with a budget of Rs 1,800 crores.

My government is committed to improving connectivity to Kashmir, assured PM Modi.

About 20 percent people of Jammu and Kashmir are displaced. We will take all possible steps for their rehabilitation, assured the PM.

I am sure the youth here can work hard, earn money and feed their families, said the PM.

The PM vows an additional Rs 8,000 crores to finish pending projects.

Power is not just for TV sets and charging mobile phones. This electricity is critical to the industrial development of this area. If there is electricity, small scale industry will grow.

The patriotism of the people hailing from Kargil inspires the people of India. I bow to this land and to the people, said the PM.

The day we recaptured Tiger hill is still vivid in my memory, said PM Modi.

When I was here, people here knew I was a BJP worker. I was provided with tea, food and people welcomed me. I saw the people here cooperate with the soldiers who were fighting.

When I came here in 1999, all one could hear was the sound of the guns as guns were booming all around. Today I am only hearing clapping of hands. People in other parts of the country would find it hard to believe the situation has changed so much in Kargil, said Modi.

Addressing a public meeting at Bimathang playground in Kargil town, Modi said: "It is my privilege that I am able to come here and meet all of you in Kargil."

PM Modi inaugurated the 44 megawatt Chatuk hydro-electric power project which is a run-of-the-river project built on the Suru river in Kargil.

Narendra Modi reaches Kargil, becoming the first PM to visit the region after war.

He also promised that the National War Memorial would be built and would inspire future generations of India.

Addressing soldiers at a Sainik Sammelan in Leh, the PM spoke of the provisions made in the union budget towards the modernisation and welfare of the armed forces, including ‘One Rank One Pension’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government is committed to make India self-reliant in defence manufacturing.

Addressing soldiers, Modi said that armed forces deployed in border areas are well-connected with the people who live there. He highlighted the example of the Kargil infiltrations, about which the first information was given to our armed forces by a shepherd named Tashi Namgyal. India defeated Pakistani infiltrators in the 1999 Kargil war.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi also recalled the Kargil war.

The PM added that the Indian armed forces are suffering more casualties from terrorism than from war.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the "continuing proxy war by Pakistan". Addressing soldiers at Leh, Modi said that the "neighbouring country has lost the strength to fight a conventional war, but continues to engage in the proxy war of terrorism".

PM Modi will now inaugurate 44 MW hydro power project at Chutak village in Kargil district.

PM Modi has concluded his speech.

You have already made me your own, but today you have designed my attire too, said Modi.

Corruption is troubling us. People are angry. I assure that we will fight corruption and work with all those against corruption, assured Modi. There are also honest officers. We will work with them too. If we win the fight against corruption, we will win battle against poverty, added the PM.

The government is planning special projects, including large-scale organic farming for development of all Himalayan states, said the PM.

When I went to Kutch (Gujarat) in the past as CM, a person asked me why I speak of border and not development there. This rang bells in my mind. Since then, whenever I go to border areas I always speak of development. My solution to problems of Jammu and Kashmir state and the north east is development, development and development, the PM noted.

Modi said the additional Rs 8,000 crore that the central cabinet would soon sanction for road development in Jammu and Kashmir would also include additional funds for the Zojila Tunnel that would connect Kargil with the rest of the country making all-weather road connectivity possible for the Ladakh region.

Modi announced waiver of the interest, saying Centre and J&K have had a feud over interest on foodgrain sent to FCI.

We will modernise the design and production of Pashmina shawls, said Modi.

PM Modi added that he would bring `saffron revolution` in the state, adding saffron farmers would get special attention from spices board.

The government is committed to developing tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. The state will soon witness huge changes, said Modi.

The patriotism of people of Ladakh is inspirational to India. I bow to that strength, said Modi.

PM Modi said it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s dream to bring connectivity to Kashmir.

Centre will work shoulder to shoulder with Jammu & Kashmir for development. Development must be such that it positively transforms the lives of the common people, said Narendra Modi.

Gujarat`s Kutch and Kashmir`s Ladakh have equal solar energy potential, added Modi.

Modi suggested Prakash, Paryavaran and Paryatan (light, environment and tourism), the three-P formula for Leh-Ladakh. "If these three are utilised properly then the country will benefit...Development must be such that it positively transforms the lives of the common people," he said.

"There was a time when...prime ministers would not come (here), and now twice the prime minister has come," said Modi.

I am grateful for your love. You appreciated even a written speech I sent during Lok Sabha election campaign, Modi told the audience.

Speaking in Leh, PM Modi said he is not only well acquainted with this region and its challenges but also its strengths. "We have put Leh at the focus of our solar energy initiatives," added Modi.

After a very long time, this place is witnessing such a large gathering of people, said Modi.

The PM inaugurated Leh-Kargil-Srinagar transmission line and the 45 MW Nimoo-Bazgo hydro-electric power project.

Addressing the audience, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the PM to Leh "on behalf of myself and all of you".

Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the gathering.

The Prime Minister is at Polo Grounds, Leh, to inaugurate the 45 MW Nimoo-Bazgo hydro-electric power project. He will also be addressing a public rally.

Commenting on the trip, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who is in Leh, said Leh-Ladakh is a neglected region and the PM`s visit is a signal of intent. Narendra Modi will be the first PM who will interact with locals, added Naqvi.

Leh town is all decked up to welcome the Prime Minister with hoardings erected at various places and BJP`s Lotus flag seen prominently at various traffic intersections.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Ladakh parliamentarian Nawan Rigzin Jora, Chief of Indian Army General Dalbir Singh Suhag and senior civil, police and military officials received the PM at the Leh airport.

In his second visit to Jammu and Kashmir after assuming Prime Minister`s Office, Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Leh. Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal and National Security Advisor Ajeet Kumar Doval are accompanying the PM.

PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate two hydro-power projects in the Ladakh region and a 330 km Leh-Srinagar transmission line. This will be PM Modi`s maiden visit to the Leh district ahead of the Assembly Elections. He will address a public rally in the local Polo Ground and also one in Kargil town later today.

BJP leaders Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Avinash Rai Sharma have been camping in Jammu and Kashmir for the last two days ahead of Modi`s visit to overlook the arrangements for the public meetings being addressed by him.

Leh-Srinagar transmission line The Leh-Srinagar transmission line will connect the Ladakh region with the country`s northern grid and ultimately solve the electricity woes of the energy starved Leh and Kargil districts.

Hydro-electric power projects The Prime Minister will inaugurate the 45 MW Nimoo-Bazgo hydro-electric power project which is situated at Alchi village. The inauguration will be done at Leh polo grounds, where he will also be addressing a public rally. Later, the PM will inaugurate another 44 MW hydro power project at Chutak village in Kargil district. The 45 MW Nimoo-Bazgo hydro-electric project is a run-of- the-river scheme to harness the potential of river Indus in the state. The project is designed to generate 239 million units of energy. The Nimoo Bazgo power station is located on river Indus in Leh district of the state and has an installed capacity of 45 MW (3x15 MW). The approval for the project was accorded at an estimated cost of Rs 611 crore. However, on account of escalation, statutory charges and higher cost of award, project cost has now been revised to Rs 985 crore.

Siachen Glacier Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag is camping in Leh to receive the Prime Minister who is scheduled to address airmen and soldiers who guard the world`s highest battlefield for the country. The PM is scheduled to conduct an inspection of the forward posts before addressing a gathering of the jawans and officers in Siachen. Around 3,000 soldiers have been deployed on the glacier where sub-zero temperatures drop to even minus 60 degrees in winters. Majority of the posts are located at over 16,000 feet and the highest of them is the Bana post at around 22,000 feet. Since 1984, India has lost more than 860 lives and majority of them have been due to climatic conditions and challenging terrain of the 76 km long glacier. Pakistan has been talking about demilitarising the Glacier as it is in disadvantageous position there and has even refused to authenticate the ground positions. The Army Chiefs over the years have frequently voiced their opposition to demilitarising the area, terming it as a strategic location.

PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate two hydro-power projects in the Ladakh region and a 330 km Leh-Srinagar transmission line. This will be PM Modi`s maiden visit to the Leh district ahead of the Assembly Elections. He will address a public rally in the local Polo Ground and also one in Kargil town later today.

BJP leaders Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Avinash Rai Sharma have been camping in Jammu and Kashmir for the last two days ahead of Modi`s visit to overlook the arrangements for the public meetings being addressed by him.

Leh-Srinagar transmission line The Leh-Srinagar transmission line will connect the Ladakh region with the country`s northern grid and ultimately solve the electricity woes of the energy starved Leh and Kargil districts.

Hydro-electric power projects The Prime Minister will inaugurate the 44 MW Chutak hydro-electric power project in Kargil and 45 MW Nimoo Bazgo project in Leh district. The 45 MW Nimoo-Bazgo hydro-electric project is a run-of- the-river scheme to harness the potential of river Indus in the state. The project is designed to generate 239 million units of energy. The Nimoo Bazgo power station is located on river Indus in Leh district of the state and has an installed capacity of 45 MW (3x15 MW). The approval for the project was accorded at an estimated cost of Rs 611 crore. However, on account of escalation, statutory charges and higher cost of award, project cost has now been revised to Rs 985 crore. State-run Power Grid Corporation of India is implementing the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar Transmission System for connectivity with Northern Region Grid for meeting demands of the Ladakh region.

Siachen Glacier Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag is camping in Leh to receive the Prime Minister who is scheduled to address airmen and soldiers who guard the world`s highest battlefield for the country. The PM is scheduled to conduct an inspection of the forward posts before addressing a gathering of the jawans and officers in Siachen. Around 3,000 soldiers have been deployed on the glacier where sub-zero temperatures drop to even minus 60 degrees in winters. Majority of the posts are located at over 16,000 feet and the highest of them is the Bana post at around 22,000 feet. Since 1984, India has lost more than 860 lives and majority of them have been due to climatic conditions and challenging terrain of the 76 km long glacier. Pakistan has been talking about demilitarising the Glacier as it is in disadvantageous position there and has even refused to authenticate the ground positions. The Army Chiefs over the years have frequently voiced their opposition to demilitarising the area, terming it as a strategic location.