On his maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he will keep the promises he made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and right things will happen at the right time.
Prime Minister Modi also described the union territory as India's “crown,” and expressed his desire to see it as “beautiful and prosperous.”
Addressing a large gathering soon after inaugurating the strategically important Z-Morh tunnel in the Sonamarg area, Prime Minister, without referring to the issue of restoration of 'statehood to Jammu and Kashmir', said, " You have to believe that this is Modi and he keeps his promises. There is a right time for everything and the right things will happen at the right time”.
Welcoming Prime Minister in Sonamarg, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier sought restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir in his brief speech.
Omar also thanked Prime Minister Modi for visiting Kashmir in the cold weather and said, "We hope that you will come again and again, and join in our happiness."
Referring to the transformation happening across Jammu and Kashmir Modi said that the dream of a developed India will be realized when its crown, Kashmir, is adorned with the jewels of progress. He expressed his desire for Kashmir to become even more beautiful and prosperous.
He emphasized that numerous road and rail connectivity projects are set to be completed in Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days.
The prime minister also paid tribute to seven people, including labourers, who were killed in a terror attack in the area in October 2024.
“First of all, I would like to thank all the brothers who worked in the most difficult circumstances, risking their lives, for the progress of the country and Jammu and Kashmir. Also, seven of our labour colleagues lost their lives but completed this task by overcoming all challenges. Today, I would like to remember the 7 colleagues who have lost their lives,” he said.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, MoS PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, MoS MoRTH Ajay Tamta were also present at the inauguration. In his inaugural speech, Nitin Gadkari listed out major infrastructural projects in the pipeline across Jammu and Kashmir.
After inaugurating the Rs 2,700 crore project, the prime minister went inside the tunnel and interacted with the project officials. He also met the construction workers who worked meticulously amid harsh conditions to complete the tunnel.
Announcing the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel the Prime Minister highlighted that this tunnel will significantly ease the lives of people in Sonamarg, Kargil, and Leh. The 6.5-km-long two-lane bi-directional road tunnel between Gagangir and Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district is equipped with a parallel 7.5-metre escape passage for emergencies.
Situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea level, the tunnel will enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg en route to Leh, bypassing routes prone to landslides and avalanches.
It will also promote tourism by ensuring year-round connectivity to Sonamarg.
Emphasising the extensive infrastructure development from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, the Prime Minister remarked that Jammu and Kashmir is becoming a hub of tunnels, high bridges, and ropeways, with some of the world's highest tunnels and highest rail-road bridges being constructed here. The Prime Minister noted the engineering marvel of the Chenab Bridge, where a passenger train trial was recently completed. He mentioned several key projects, including the cable bridge enhancing Kashmir's railway connectivity, the Zojila, Chenani Nashri, and Sonamarg tunnel projects, and the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project. The Prime Minister also mentioned the schemes for the Shankaracharya Temple, Shivkhori, and Baltal-Amarnath ropeways, as well as the Katra-Delhi expressway. He emphasized that over ?42,000 crore worth of road connectivity projects are underway in Jammu and Kashmir, including four national highway projects and two ring roads. The Prime Minister remarked that more than 14 tunnels like Sonamarg are being constructed, making Jammu and Kashmir one of the most connected regions in the country.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stole the show while praising efforts made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in bridging the gap between "Dil (heart) and Delhi".
Abdullah said the inauguration of projects like the 'Sonamarg Tunnel' tunnel would bridge the gap between Jammu and Kashmir's "'dil' (heart)" and Delhi.
Omar said terrorism will be defeated to ensure peace and development besides safeguarding democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to Modi's speech during his visit to Srinagar on International Yoga Day last year, the chief minister said, "My heart says that very soon, you will fulfill your promise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir which is the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory."
The chief minister's statehood remark in the presence of the prime minister was welcomed by the audience with a round of applause.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for transforming Jammu and Kashmir into a “real paradise” and eradicating terrorism from the region.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 6.5-km-long Z-Morh tunnel in Central Kashmir, LG Sinha, highlighted the developmental strides J&K has achieved under PM Modi’s leadership.
“The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wiped out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir and has turned it into a real paradise. Peace, progress, and prosperity have become the hallmarks of his regime,” said LG Sinha.
LG Sinha termed the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel, built at a cost of Rs 2,700 crore, as a “game changer” for the region. He described the (Z-Morh) tunnel as a “Bhagya Rekha” (lifeline) for Jammu and Kashmir, enabling year-round connectivity to the picturesque Sonamarg.
“This is a day of immense pride. This tunnel will boost connectivity and usher in a new era of economic opportunities for the region,” said LG Sinha.
