PM Modi set to visit Jammu and Kashmir today, first after scrapping of Article 370; here's a look at preparations

Ahead of PM Modi's visit, a red alert has been issued in Jammu and Kashmir following the encounter near Sunjwan army camp on the outskirts of the city which averted a major attack with the gunning down of both the terrorists armed with suicide vests and a large number of arms and ammunition.

Traffic police Jammu has already issued an advisory in connection with the prime minister's visit, announcing certain restrictions and route plans for the public to reach the venue.

A statute of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being prepared to mark his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. This will mark Modi's first visit to the union territory after the historic scrapping of Article 370.

"Tomorrow, 24th April, we will mark the National Panchayati Raj Day. On this important occasion, I will be in Jammu and Kashmir and from there will address Gram Sabhas across India. Will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate development works worth over Rs. 20,000 crore," wrote Modi in a tweet on Saturday.

The prime minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives worth over Rs 20,000 crore during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Arrangements for over one lakh people including over 30,000 panchayat members have been made at the venue of the public meeting, the officials said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the Panchayats across India from this venue at Palli village in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The event has been organised to mark the occasion of  National Panchayati Raj Day and strengthen the capabilities of the Panchayat system in the country to bring about a change at the grass-root level.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the gram sabhas across the country from Jammu and Kashmir's Palli village on Sunday to mark the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day.

He will also transfer award money to Panchayats who are winners of awards given across different categories on National Panchayati Raj Day for their achievements.

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel, which is a landmark infra project aimed at ensuring all-weather connectivity between the Jammu and Kashmir regions.

Jan Aushadi Kendras spread across J&K will also be inaugurated. He will also lay the foundation stone of three road packages of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and Ratle and Kwar Hydroelectric projects.

The Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel, which has been built at a cost of over Rs 3100 crore, is the 8.45- km long tunnel would reduce the road distance between Banihal and Qazigund by 16 km, and reduce journey time by around one-and-a-half hours.

Palli panchayat, 17 km from Jammu city, was virtually sealed with local police and paramilitary personnel including Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed in strength to keep a strict vigil, the officials said.

Security has been ramped up across Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Palli Panchayat in Samba district on Sunday, officials said.

A red alert has been sounded in the Union Territory following the encounter near Sunjwan army camp on the outskirts of the city which averted a major attack with the gunning down of both the terrorists armed with suicide vests and a large number of arms and ammunition.

Security personnel stand guard near the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on April 24 at Palli village of Samba, in Jammu on Saturday.

Screening and rigorous security checking are being undertaken to keep in view the prime minister's security in the conflicted area that shares the border with Pakistan.