‘Kashmir is Crown of India’; PM Unveils Sonamarg Tunnel in J&K
Sonamarg Tunnel Image credit MoRTH
12-km Sonamarg Tunnel Project Cost ₹2,700 crore
By Amit Kumar
New Delhi, January 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Sonamarg tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister said that his government will work to restore the status of a crown for Kashmir in India.
The Sonamarg Tunnel project, around 12 km long, has been constructed at a cost of over ₹2,700 crore. It comprises the Sonamarg main tunnel of 6.4 km length, an egress tunnel and approach roads. Situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea level, it will enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg enroute to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche routes and ensuring safer and uninterrupted access to the strategically critical Ladakh region.
The tunnel is expected to promote tourism by transforming Sonamarg into a year-round destination, boosting winter tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods. Along with the Zojila Tunnel, set for completion by 2028, it will reduce the route length from 49 km to 43 km and boost vehicle speed from 30 km/hr to 70 km/hr, ensuring seamless NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar Valley and Ladakh.
Budget unveils special package of ₹17k crore for Jammu and Kashmir
“This enhanced connectivity will boost defense logistics, drive economic growth and socio-cultural integration across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,” said the Prime Minister’s Office in a media statement.
Announcing the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel and fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Modi highlighted that this tunnel will significantly ease the lives of people in Sonamarg, Kargil, and Leh. The Prime Minister remarked that the tunnel will reduce the difficulties faced during avalanches, heavy snowfall and landslides, which often led to road closures.
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. The Prime Minister remarked that improved connectivity will allow tourists to reach previously untouched and unexplored areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
India seeks new global lens for Kashmir; G20 tourism meet to counter separatist narrative
“In 2024, more than two crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir, with Sonamarg seeing a sixfold increase in tourists over the past ten years,” added Modi. He emphasized that this growth has benefited local businesses, including hotels, homestays, dhabas, clothing shops, and taxi services.
“Jammu and Kashmir of the 21st century is scripting a new chapter of development. The region is regaining its identity as ‘Paradise on Earth’, leaving behind the difficult days of the past,” added the Prime Minister.
He praised the local artists for transforming Polo View Market into a new habitat center, with musicians, artists, and singers frequently performing there. The Prime Minister observed that people in Srinagar now comfortably watch movies with their families in cinema halls and shop with ease.
Acknowledging that it was truly the new era of Jammu and Kashmir, Modi mentioned the recent international cricket league held in the region after 40 years and car racing scenes around the beautiful Dal Lake. He said that Gulmarg was becoming the winter games capital of India, having hosted four Khelo India Winter Games, with the fifth edition starting next month.
“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,” said Modi on the occasion.
Join the WhatsApp Channel of The Raisina Hills
Follow on Google News https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMNK2vwsw39HWAw?hl=en-IN&gl=IN&ceid=IN%3Aen
About The Author
