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Arteev Sharma
Tribune News Service
Jammu/Leh, May 19
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday kickstarted work on Asia’s longest bi-directional Zojila tunnel, connecting Kashmir’s Sonamarg with the Gumri area of Kargil district, by unveiling a plaque at Leh during his one-day visit to the state.
The tunnel will provide all-weather access to the arid Ladakh region.
The Prime Minister said the 14.5-km Zojila tunnel was not just an infrastructure project, but it was also going to be a “technological marvel”. He said it was expected to be completed in five years against the proposed deadline of seven years.
Zojila is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh national highway and remains closed for six months due to heavy snowfall.
“Every resident in the state will be proud that the Centre and the state government are working strenuously for the overall development of Jammu and Kashmir. In one day, projects worth Rs 25,000 crore will either be inaugurated or initiated in the state. These projects will have a positive impact on the people of the state,” said PM Modi, while addressing a large gathering of people, who had converged in traditional attires to be part of the closing ceremony for the birth centenary celebrations of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, the architect of modern Ladakh.
The Prime Minister, who started his speech in Ladakhi language that drew huge applause from the audience, showered praises on the people of Ladakh for their determination and endeavours to excel in different fields.
“Despite hardships, difficult terrain and inaccessibility, people in Ladakh have set an example as how we can one march on the path of progress and development. This example will have to be followed by the people of other regions — Kashmir and Jammu,” the Prime Minister said.
Referring to the entrepreneurship programmes of women in Ladakh, the Prime Minister said the self-confidence of Ladakhi people had taken them to great heights. “Women in Ladakh have set an example for the rest of the country,” he said.
Expressing concern over non-payment to flood-affected people in Leh, PM Modi said an inquiry would be held to find out why compensation was not paid and who was responsible for the inordinate delay or lapses in this regard. “We will ensure that all affected people get compensation,” he said.
He said when he took over as the Prime Minister, thousands of villages were without electricity. “My government took electrification process on the mission mode and pulled these villages out of darkness. Nearly four crore houses that do not have electricity even after 70 years of Independence would be given connection within one and a half year,” he said.
The Prime Minister also promised creation of a state-of-the-art cultural centre and a digital museum in Leh, saying it would be a centre of attraction for tourists visiting the Ladakh region.
He also assured that the demand for a medical college in Ladakh would be considered seriously and asked the state and the Centre to furnish a report in this regard.
Earlier, the PM was received at the Leh airport by Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in addition to senior civil and military officers.
Tunnel to cut down psychological divide: CM
Jammu: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said the construction of the Zojila tunnel would cut down the psychological divide between the people of different regions in the state by a great measure. She said the tunnel would not only increase the tourism activities in the Ladakh region but also the communication between students, traders and people. She said it would give a major relief to the locals who would be at the mercy of harsh weather due to the closure of the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway in winter. The CM was addressing a gathering after Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally kick-started the commencement of work on the Zojila tunnel project in Leh on Saturday. Mehbooba said her government was committed towards the development of all regions in the state on an equal footing and in this regard historic steps had been taken by her government. TNS
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