Modi inaugurates Sonamarg tunnel in Valley, calls Kashmir crown of country

Describing Jammu and Kashmir as the crown of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi who inaugurated the strategic Sonamarg Tunnel on Monday said he wanted to see it more beautiful and prosperous.

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Modi alongwith Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lt Governor Manoj Sinha reached to Ganderbal in Central Kashmir on Monday to inaugurate the tunnel located at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea level which will enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and the tourist destination Sonamarg which is enroute to Ladakh.

Modi said that the tunnel would reduce the difficulties faced during avalanches, heavy snowfall and landslides and essential goods, medical access, and connectivity would now improve significantly.

After inspecting the 6.5-kilometre tunnel and interacting with construction workers, Modi said the dream of "Viksit Bharat" can be fulfilled only “when the pearls of progress are studded on its peak.”

“That is why I want this crown(Kashmir) to be more beautiful and see more progress,” he said while addressing the public.

The Prime Minister remembered the seven employees of the same firm who constructed the tunnel and were killed in a militant attack in October this year.

Modi during his address also said if Modi promises, he keeps them as well.

“There is a time for every work and the right things are going to happen at the right time,” Modi said in an apparent reference to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who in in speech appealed to the Prime Minister to fulfil the promise of restoration of statehood.

Constructed at a total cost of Rs 2,717 crore and spanning a length of 11.98 km, the tunnel was earlier known as Z-Morh tunnel. As the inauguration took place under a heavy security grid, it has been named after the tourist destination Sonamarg.

Noting that he would walk with people step by step, and would remove every “obstacle that comes in the way of your dreams,” Modi said that Jammu and Kashmir “is becoming a hub of tunnels, ropeway and bridges,” and Kashmir was regaining its identity as the heaven of the earth.

“Today people during night hours are going to have ice cream at Lal chowk. I see on social media how musicians and artistes do performances there. People go to cinema halls…,” he said, also crediting the people for the improvement in the situation.

The Prime Minister also said work is going on several projects which are worth over 42,000 crore and new road and rail connectivity projects are being completed.

“Kashmir valley is also getting connected through rail as well. The new roads, rail connecting to Kashmir, hospital are coming, this is the new Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. He also discussed the impact of peace and developments on the tourism sector. The Prime Minister said last year over two crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir, benefiting everyone.The PM also talked about the resurgence of cultural and sports events in the UT.