Gujarat: J&K CM Omar Abdullah Visits Sardar Sarovar Dam, Calls for Similar Projects in Valley
Kevadia (Gujarat), Thursday — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday visited the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Kevadia and lauded the project for transforming drought‑affected regions by bringing them much‑needed water.
Expressing optimism for Jammu and Kashmir’s future, Abdullah noted that with the Indus Water Treaty suspended, the Union Territory could now explore similar large‑scale water and power projects.
“This dam has brought water to areas that knew nothing but drought. It has been J&K’s misfortune that we could not even imagine such projects because we were not allowed to stop the water. Now that the Indus Water Treaty has been suspended, maybe there will be such a project in J&K too, so that there will be no shortage of power or water,” he told reporters.
The Chief Minister also toured the Statue of Unity, describing it as “magnificent” and “a true tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and a great identity for the new India.”
A day earlier, Abdullah met Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar to discuss strengthening inter‑state relations, boosting tourism exchanges, and sharing best practices for inclusive growth.
The J&K CM is in Gujarat to participate in the Tourism and Travel Fair (TTF) in Ahmedabad, aiming to attract more visitors from Gujarat.
“Looking at the last 30–35 years, three states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, and West Bengal — have been the primary sources of tourists to J&K. We are here to speak on behalf of J&K and hope to see a good number of tourists from Gujarat very soon,” he said.
The visit underscores Abdullah’s twin focus: harnessing Gujarat’s tourism potential for J&K and exploring opportunities for transformative infrastructure development.
