PM Modi arrives in Jammu and Kashmir on day-long visit

Jammu, April 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here Tuesday on a daylong visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

A special plane carrying the prime minister landed at the technical area of Jammu airport around 9 a.m.

State Governor N.N.Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, senior ministers of the PDP-BJP ruling coalition government and top army and civil administration officials will receive Modi at the airport.

Modi will fly to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine base camp town of Katra in Reasi district along with Vohra and Mufti.

He will address the convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University later in the day.

He is also scheduled to formally inaugurate the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana super specialty hospital.

The 250-bedded hospital has been built at a cost of Rs. 300 crores and is equipped with state of the art facilities.

The premier will also inaugurate a sports complex and address a public rally in Katra town.

This is Modi's third visit to Katra shrine since he took office in May 2014.

"I am looking forward to being in Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow where I will attend a wide range of programmes and interact with citizens," Modi tweeted on Monday.

Dozens of specially trained commandos of the special protection group (SPG) are being deployed around the town.

Management of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said the pilgrimage will continue uninterrupted during Modi's visit to Katra.

However, helicopter services carrying pilgrims from Katra town to the Trikuta Hills where the cave shrine is located will remain suspended as a security measure.

IANS