Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a financial package worth Rs 80,000 crore for Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar on Saturday, reported NDTV. This included Rs 34,000 crore for the construction of the highway connecting Jammu and Srinagar. Addressing a public meeting at the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium, Modi spoke about resuming cricket matches there, even naming state cricket star Parvez Rasool. He also said he intended to bring good education, health services, agriculture and employment for the citizens of the state.

The amount will be over and above the regular transfers made by the Centre, and be spent over time based on the decisions of the state government. Modi arrived in Srinagar among heavy security, with various separatist groups threatening a massive protest on the day. On Saturday, police detained Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid after he tried to take out a protest march against Modi's rally, saying he wanted him to address the issue of growing intolerance in the country, and also resolve the Kashmir issue. This is the prime minister's fourth visit to the state.