Satish Singh Lalotra
The year of 2024, had within its recesses monumental happenings reserved for the UT of J&K renewing interest and making its people sit back and savour the fruits of these happenings -good and bad both notwithstanding. With the year of 2019 witnessing the abrogation of both the draconian acts of article 370 & 35 A, the ‘aspiration ladder’ of masses of this region escalated to new frontiers. The same needed satiation both at the regional and national level due to a mood of expediency being built around from Kathua across the PirPanjal ranges into the Kashmir Valley. Some of these events and activities were so phenomenal and distinct that the year could be termed as the ‘Watershed’ in the history of J&K.
POLITICAL SPECTRUM
Democratic Exercise: People participate in elections in Jammu. Photos/RakeshAfter years of direct central rule, Jammu and Kashmir participated in the 2024 parliamentary elections alongside the rest of the country. The BJP and JKNC won 2 seats each, with BJP securing the largest popular vote share at 24.36%, followed by JKNC at 22.30%. An independent candidate won 1 seat. After a decade J&K Assembly elections were held, first as UT, with NC snatching the victory despite BJP getting largest vote share. Notably PDP, Apni Party and DAP were rejected by people. A historic milestone was the extension of voting and citizenship rights to West Pakistani refugees, Valmikis, and Gorkhas for the first time in assembly elections. The newly formed Government’s first act was passing a statehood resolution. The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules, 2005 got amended, introducing 10% reservation for newly-included tribes, including Paharis, under the ST category. Additionally, 15 castes were added to the OBC list as proposed by the Social Welfare Department.
THE ARC OF TERRORISM
In 2024, terrorist activities intensified south of the Pir Panjal, with attacks across 8 of 10 Jammu districts claiming 44 lives, including 18 security personnel. Doda, Kathua, and Reasi saw the most casualties, while a Reasi bus attack during monsoon killed 9 Hindu pilgrims and injured 41. Increased violence targeted migrant workers in Kashmir and VDGs, with three VDGs kidnapped and killed. The Government responded by reinforcing the security grid. Appointed NSG DG Nalin Prabhat as DG, the NSG, India’s elite counter-terrorism force, got stationed in Jammu and an Indian Army officer of High Altitude Warfare School has been appointed as SSP Training and Special Operations in Jammu and Kashmir Police. Jammu and Kashmir police alone won record 86 medals including 72 Medals for Gallantry, two President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 12 Medals for Meritorious Service.
TOURISM & SPORTS
In 2024, Jammu hosted the vibrant ‘Jammu Trade Fair’ with over 110 stalls, while Gulmarg held the second phase of ‘Khelo India’ Winter Games from February 21-25, featuring skiing, snowboarding, and mountaineering. Spring brought Baisakhi festivities,and Srinagar’s Tulip and Mughal gardens, along with Pahalgam’s lavender blooms, drew large crowds. In a pioneering move, Uber has launched its first water transport service in India, the Uber Shikara, on the serene Dal Lake in Srinagar. Gurez Festival was also held to showcase and promote off-beat tourist destination. Kashmir hosted its first-ever Formula-4 car race in Srinagar. The race covered a 1.7-kilometer stretch from Lalit Ghat to Nehru Park. The event highlights Kashmir’s potential as a hub for adventure tourism and sporting events. Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar clinched bronze in the mixed compound archery event at the Paris Paralympics 2024, equalling the Paralympic record. Sheetal, the only female armless archer at the Games, has gained global acclaim.
In November, J&K launched the ‘Seal of Authenticity’ to certify handmade crafts, ensuring quality and ownership while boosting global appeal. Announced during the 60th
World Crafts Council anniversary in Srinagar, the initiative focuses on textiles and plans to establish a ‘World Craft Hub’ and International Museum in Srinagar. Srinagar was recognized as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Craft Council, becoming the fourth Indian city to earn the title, after Jaipur, Malappuram, and Mysore. This follows its 2021 designation as part of UNESCO’s Creative City Network for crafts and folk arts.
DEVELOPMENT CUM EXPANSION
The Union Budget allocated Rs 42,277.74 crore to J&K, marking a 1.2% increase from the previous fiscal year. This funding accelerated key projects like the USBRL (Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link), featuring the world’s highest rail bridge over the Chenab River, and the four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar highway, aimed at creating all-weather connectivity and boosting socio-economic growth. Major tunnels, Zojila and Z-Morh, are set to enhance connectivity, fostering physical and emotional integration
with the rest of India. Under the Jammu Master Plan -2032, the city’s planning boundaries expanded from 112 sq. km to 777.84 sq. km, incorporating 351 villages from Jammu and Samba districts for inclusive development. Jammu’s old city, rich in Dogra heritage buildings, has been designated a ‘Special Zone’ to prioritize heritage conservation. Efforts like the Tawi Riverfront project, central to Dogra identity, are on a fast track, with completion expected by January 2025, aiming to boost cultural, environmental, and tourism potential. Additionally, the Jammu Smart City Project Limited is driving several initiatives including a library cum cafeteria at Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, to rejuvenate the region, positioning Jammu as a significant player in
India’s tourism circuit. “New Jammu & Kashmir Start-up Policy 2024-27,” aiming to establish 2,000 startups by 2027. The policy offers support such as patent assistance, funding for mentorship, and facilitation of DPIIT registration. It aims to boost J&K’s growth by attracting national investors and providing entrepreneurship opportunities for students and women.
PRESIDENT MURMU’s VISIT
President Draupdi Murmu visited Siachen base camp in September and interacted with the troops posted on the highest battle field of the world; praised their unflinching bravery amidst insurmountable odds and assured them of the nation’s backing in performing their bounden duties in guarding the Soltoro ridge line.
PM’S SOJOURN
In February PM Modi visited Jammu to inaugurate, dedicate, and lay foundation stones for multiple development projects, while also distributing appointment letters to new Government recruits. In March, he visited Srinagar, unveiling projects worth Rs 6,400 crore under the “Viksit Bharat, Viksit Jammu & Kashmir” initiative. Key highlights included the Holistic Agriculture Development Project, Swadesh Darshan and Prashad schemes, integrated development of the Hazratbal Shrine, and the “Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice 2024” campaign. In September, PM Modi visited Doda, marking the first visit by a PM to the region in 42 years, campaigning for his party after the ECI announced parliamentary elections.
AFTER EFFECTS OF G-20 MEET
The successful & peaceful G-20 meet last year in Srinagar boosted the already upbeat mood of tourism in the valley and revived foreign tourists footfall to a record high. All the participants in the meet later became ‘de facto’ brand ambassadors of J&K’s tourism giving an adrenaline shot to the tourists the world over. The meet has been able to give a road map to the stakeholders in the UT to further the cause of spiritual tourism, adventure tourism, ecotourism, wild life tourism, religious tourism and such like activities , in addition to being a ‘standard bearer’ of peace and tranquillity in the region. With rising tourist footfall in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government plans to develop Kokernag, Baradari, Bhadarwah, and Doodhpathri into world-class tourist destinations with World Bank support
.
PUSH FOR DEVELOPMENT
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was at the forefront of development works in Jammu and Kashmir. He unveiled a number of projects both in Jammu and Kashmir region involving crores of rupess.
RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENTS
In 2024, more than 5.12 lakh pilgrims visited the Amarnath shrine, marking the highest number in the past 12 years. This surge in visitors highlights the growing importance of maintaining a harmonious balance in a Muslim-majority region, reflecting the secular credentials of the nation. Meanwhile, the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is expected to exceed a crore pilgrim mark in 2024. A number of developmental projects are underway to enhance the pilgrimage experience, including a Rs 300 crore ropeway between Katra town and Sanjhi Chat. A Skywalk at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhavan, a new community kitchen, multiple railway registration centers, and a 24×7 call center that handles around 2,500 calls daily from pilgrims both across India and abroad have been inaugurated in 2024. These initiatives aim to further enrich this revered place of worship.
Power shift : LG Manoj Sinha at oath ceremony of new Government Photos/Shakeel
HEALTH and MEDICAL SCENARIO
The health sector in Jammu and Kashmir, which has long been neglected, has seen significant improvements. The near-completion of AIIMS in Vijaypur has provided a major boost to the locals in the Jammu region, while the AIIMS in Awantipora, located in the Kashmir Valley, is also progressing rapidly to provide world-class healthcare to the people of the region. However, the doctor-patient ratio in the Union Territory remains at 1:1880, significantly higher than the WHO recommended ratio of 1:1000, which needs to be addressed to bring it to more acceptable levels. In 2024, the geographical spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, leishmaniasis, and Japanese encephalitis has increased in J&K, raising concerns among the population.
POWER SHORTAGE and WATER SCARCITY
Both Kashmir & Jammu divisions faced an extreme power and water shortage as the department failed to plug the AT&C losses like last year. With outstanding bills amounting to thousands of crores, the situation is no better than last year. It remains an abiding challenge for the UT to get its act together on this issue. Major projects like Kirthai-II, Sawalkot, Uri-I Stage-II, New Ganderbal, and UJH remain stalled due to pending forest clearances, environmental approvals, or contract delays. Power and water woes in the UT are set to persist due to rainfall deficits in both summer and winter.
DRUG MENACE
According to the latest official records, Jammu and Kashmir has over 13.54 lakh drug addicts, with the number continuing to rise. Since 2021, more than 6,500 cases have been registered, and 9,424 individuals have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Additionally, nearly 8,000 kilograms of narcotics have been destroyed over the past five years.
NH ACCIDENTS
By October 2024 the UT witnessed about 5000 road accidents resulting in 703 deaths and 6820 injuries. Urban centres like Srinagar & Jammu were the main culprits in this regard. Time for high level intervention both at the UT & Centre level to reduce the fatalities.
NATURAL CALAMITIES
Two earthquakes, one in August and then again in November 2024 hit the UT but with no significant loss of lives. Floods in April 2024 and cloud bursts in the monsoons of 2024 in both Kashmir and Jammu province respectively caused extensive damages to life and property.
THOSE WHO LEFT
Noted politician Devender Rana left this world some days after winning the Assembly elections as a BJP candidate
LADAKH
Asia’s largest imaging Cherenkov telescope, located at an altitude of almost 4,300 metres, was inaugurated at Ladakh’s Hanle. Work on Ladakh’s ambitious 13GW Solar Power transmission system to evacuate the power finalised.
J&K AND LADAKH HIGH COURT
Justice Tashi Rabstan took the oath as the 37th Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in a ceremony held at the Convention Centre in Jammu. The strength of judges of High Court has been increased from 17 to 25.
Though the year 2024 is now part of pages of history of J&K, much has to be learnt in order to write new pages for a new year book of 2025 that conforms to the wishes and aspirations of the UT. Here’s wishing all readers of Daily Excelsior ‘A very happy New Year 2025’.
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